Teen health at ‘tipping point’ as 464 million youth at risk of obesity by 2030, report warns
Teens worldwide are moving away from alcohol and cigarettes, but are facing increasing obesity and mental health issues, a new Lancet report reveals
Almost half a billion teenagers around the world will be overweight or obese by 2030, experts predicted, as they warned that adolescent health was at a “tipping point”.
In a major new review of the health and well-being of adolescents, experts said some main drivers of ill-health among teenagers have switched from cigarettes and alcohol to weight gain and mental health problems.
They warned that mental health among teenagers had seen a “significant decline” over the past three decades, which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis.
And they projected that 464 million teenagers around the world will be overweight or obese by 2030 – 143 million more than in 2015.
But the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing pointed out: “In terms of health risks, substance use [specifically tobacco and alcohol] has declined in every region.”
The experts on the commission said action is needed to tackle threats to adolescents’ health and well-being.