The global number of overweight people in the world is now over 640 million and the figure is higher than underweight people based on a new study. It resulted as obesity rates skyrocketed during the past four decades including people with a high body mass index (BMI). Over 10 percent of men and almost 15 percent of women are obese.
The number of people with a BMI over 30 has risen sharply from 105 million people in 1975 to 641 million people in 2014, according to Newsweek. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight (kilograms) by their height (meters squared).
The study was published on March 31, Thursday in the medical journal The Lancet. It involved the United Nations' World Health Organization (WHO) and over 700 researchers worldwide, and evaluated height and weight data from almost 20 million adults in 186 countries.
A person's BMI is a sign if he or she has a healthy weight. BMI scores higher than 25 are overweight, and those greater than 40 are morbidly obese.
During the past 40 years the average male BMI increased from 21.7 to 24.2, and for women increased from 22.1 to 24.4.Researchers explained it is equal to the world's population getting 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) heavier every decade.
Majid Ezzati is a professor at the school of public health at Imperial College London. He reports that the number of worldwide people whose body weight is a serious health issue is at an all-time high.
Based on the study's findings Japanese adults had the world's lowest BMI among developed countries. Meanwhile, the highest BMI was among United States adults.
Morbid obesity affects about 1 percent of men and 2 percent of women. This condition affects people's basic physical functions including breathing and walking.
The study's researchers predict that if the current worldwide trends continue, 18 percent of men as well as 21 percent of women will be obese by the year 2025.
In related news, another new study by Canadian researchers shows that beans, peas, and lentils might help in weight loss, according to Newsmax. The study of the food classified as "pulses" found that they can help dieters feel they have a full stomach, and shed unwanted pounds.
Lead author Russell de Souza shared that the weight-loss was small. However, adding pulses to one's diet can help to lose weight and keep it off.
Here are some easy ways to lose weight: