In developing countries where Western influence has promoted a lifestyle of little physical activity and high calorie foods, cases of obesity have tripled in the past 20 years.Hassan P et al. Obesity and Diabetes in the Developing World - A growing challenge. NEJM 356:213-215,2007 Being poor in the lowest income countries is still associated with being undernourished and underweight but being poor in a middle income country (eg. South East Asia, China, Middle East, Latin America) is associated with an increased risk of obesity. The health and economic implications of these trends are enormous since obesity predisposes to Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the incidences of which are skyrocketing.Hassan W and James WP. Obesity. Lancet 366:1197-1209,2005
Probably there are 1.7 billion overweight children in the world and the number appears to be growing. If effective, preventive programs could be implemented, presumably they should target children.2