Study shows half of young aussies will be obese by 2050

Researchers are warning that by 2050, half of all children in Australia could be obese or overweight. A new study led by Melbourne's Murdoch Children's Research Institute, published in The Lancet, shows that Australian kids and teens are among those gaining weight the fastest.

The study, released on World Obesity Day, highlights some concerning trends. Girls are already more likely to be obese than just overweight, and if things don't change, around 2.2 million Australians aged 5 to 24 could be obese by 2050, with another 1.6 million expected to be overweight.

On a global scale, the situation isn't much better. Within 15 years, there could be more boys aged 5 to 14 with obesity than those who are simply overweight. The research, which analyzed data from 204 countries, predicts that by 2050, one in six kids and teens worldwide will be obese. Countries like China, Egypt, India, and the U.S. are expected to have the highest numbers.

Lead author Jessica Kerr emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying that without immediate five-year action plans, the outlook for young people could be bleak. "Children and adolescents remain a vulnerable population within the obesity epidemic," she said.

Experts agree that early prevention is crucial, as obesity rarely goes away after adolescence. Kerr pointed out that focusing on adolescent girls who are obese is particularly important to prevent obesity from passing down through generations and to avoid the serious health, financial, and societal costs.

The report is pushing governments to take action, suggesting strategies like:

• Higher taxes on sugary drinks

• Banning junk food ads aimed at kids and teens

• Providing healthy meals in schools

The goal is to address the root causes of obesity, including diet, lifestyle, and the built environment, to help ensure a healthier future for the next generation.