Obesity Demographics
Did you know that the Prevalence of Obesity among Middle & Older Adults
is increasing all around the world and Globalization has a lot to do with that?
It is a known fact that approximately 20% of the middle and older adult population world-wide are obese. In Western countries, obesity rates are steadily rising for middle and older adults. In the past, obesity was a public health problem, now obesity in older adults is not just a Western problem, or a local problem, it is a problem world-wide. There was a time when malnutrition was the biggest problem of the Western World. However, because of Globalization, this is quickly changing. Being overweight is rapidly becoming more of a problem than underweight in rich and poor Western Countries.
Obesity cases are three times more than the number of people who died from malnutrition. Statistics says that obesity is also the fifth main cause for death in more developed and advanced Countries. The combination of integration of global markets such as fast food restaurants and trade, is causing a shift in wealth and overweight in Western Countries. Poor Countries and their socioeconomic conditions of malnutrition are seeing an increase of exports and imports of domestic goods, foreign products, and national markets to foreign investment. This economic power has increased fast food businesses and super market chains with a load of fatty foods for people's consumption. McDonald's is the largest food chain worldwide and located in 119 Foreign Countries, and Subway is located in 104. However, KFC was the very first American food chain to open in a Western Country in 1987. |
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The United States and Obesity
The assumption is that by 2030 older adult's obesity rates will more than double. By the time Baby Boomers are in their seventies, they would be heavier than the older adult generation of today. Unfortunately, obesity is steadily rising in United States in the older adult population with a prevalence above 30%. In the past Obesity was a public health problem in Western Countries, but it has now become a Global Epidemic.