'Childhood obesity to increase by 60pc in next decade'.

LAHORE -- Medical experts say that 800 million people living with obesity all over the world are twice as likely to be hospitalized if tested positive for Covid-19.

They said childhood obesity is expected to increase by 60% over the next decade, reaching 250 million by 2030.

Addressing the public seminar on the occasion of 'World Obesity Day,' Punjab President of General Cadre Doctors Association Dr Masood Sheikh said the medical consequences of obesity will cost over $1 trillion by 2025.

He said the individuals were not to blame for their obesity, as it is often driven by forces outside of a person's control, and is the result of complex biological, genetic, and environmental factors, mental health, healthcare access, and access to ultra-processed food.

He added that this year's campaign theme is 'Changing Perspectives: Let's Talk About Obesity'.

World Obesity Day calls for a cohesive, cross-sector response to the obesity crisis, as biological and genetic factors put people at greater risk.

'Our physical and social environments impact our ability to live healthy lives and expose us to unhealthy foods that are engineered to make us eat more,' he said.

Obesity is therefore the result of complex biological, genetic, and environmental factors, he said, adding that weight is one indicator of obesity, but treating obesity is about improving overall health, not just about losing weight.

A person with a higher body mass index can manage their disease and live at a 'healthy weight'.

Obesity is now rising the fastest in lower- and middle-income countries, he said, adding that many are simultaneously tackling overweight, obesity, and undernutrition.

Obesity is especially prevalent in poorer and more vulnerable communities. Childhood obesity has nearly doubled every 10 years.

It can profoundly affect children's physical health, social, and emotional well-being, and self-esteem.

Dr Sheikh said that it is associated with poor academic performance and a lower quality of life and often carries through to adulthood, so prevention and treatment are vital to stopping a global rise in obesity.

Dr Muhamad Shahbaz said that obesity is on the rise globally, and efforts to address it are challenging due to misconceptions about obesity and the role it plays in a person's health.

He said 'eating less, moving more,' which implies that weight loss is just about diet...