The World Health Organization’s latest estimates indicate that worldwide, approximately 1.6 billion adults are carrying extra weight. WHO further projects that by 2015, approximately 2.3 billion adults will be overweight. At least 20 million children under the age of 5 years are overweight globally in 2005. Once considered a problem only in high-income countries, high numbers of overweight people are dramatically on the rise even in low and middle income countries, particularly in urban settings.

Overweight caused by unhealthy diet and lack of exercise leads to health risks. Many people don’t know that even a small amount of extra weight can increase the risk of impaired cardiovascular health and metabolism. The greater the excess weight, the greater the risk.
Source: Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, World Health Organization

Fortunately, weight gain can be prevented or reversed with a combination of a reduced calorie diet that incorporates necessary nutrients and physical activity.

• The prevalence of overweight has increased dramatically in the past 35 years! *
• Prevalence in children has increased markedly since 1980. *
• The average adult gains 0.45kg (1lb) per year after age 25. **
• Average adults lose 0.2kg (0.5lb) of muscle and bone mass per year after age 25. **

* US Dept of Health and Human Services (2007)
** The World Health Organization (WHO) reports these statistics