TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Obesity is emerging as a pressing global health concern, with a recent Lancet study uncovering that 1.03 billion people worldwide are now classified as obese. Taiwan is facing its own battle against rising obesity rates.
According to the Health Promotion Administration, half of the adults and a third of schoolchildren in Taiwan are either overweight or obese. Pediatrician Huang Szu-wei from Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital has highlighted many parents' misconceptions about childhood obesity.
"Parents often say being chubby as a child doesn't mean being chubby later. But current research completely refutes this claim," Huang stated.
He emphasized the long-term consequences of adolescent obesity, revealing that about 70% of individuals who were overweight as teens tend to retain excess weight into adulthood. Moreover, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes associated with obesity is heightened at a younger age, posing significant health challenges later in life.
The repercussions of obesity extend beyond health concerns to economic burdens. Data from the National Health Insurance Database shows that medical expenses related to overweight and obesity amounted to NT$26.4 billion in 2011, underscoring the need for proactive measures.
The top 10 causes of death among Taiwanese in 2021 revealed a concerning correlation between obesity and major health issues such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Physician Liu Han-wen from Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital highlighted the role of dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, and stress in exacerbating the obesity crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for lifestyle changes.
With obesity becoming a chronic disease in Taiwan, urgent action is warranted to prevent further health complications and ensure a healthier future for the population, particularly as Taiwan moves towards a super-aged society.
