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Innovative Medicines & Omics Pharmacotherapy of obesity

obviously very well received within a family or community 5. Epidemiology of obesity
setting, while high economic pressures lead make most
people to opt for cheaper high-calorie foods. In essence, Obesity has become a major worldwide health problem
obesity is caused by two major classes of factors: personal since gaining official public health epidemic status by the
biology and the larger social factors. 15 WHO in 1997. Obesity has more than tripled in prevalence
globally over the past 40 years. Today, about one-third
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4. Childhood obesity and the impact of of the world population is affected; there are 609 million
COVID-19: Sedentary lifestyle and other adults, or 39% of the world’s population who are obese, and
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effects more than 1.9 billion people are overweight.
While this upsurge is more pronounced in females
Nowadays, obesity is recognized as a growing global public and older individuals, such a trend can be seen in all age
health crisis in children and adolescents, having affected groups, both sexes and in all countries. Obesity is now as
millions of people. According to the WHO, more than common and widespread as undernutrition. At least 2.5
340 million children and adolescents aged 5 – 19 years million adults die each year worldwide as a result of being
are overweight or obese. It is an upward alarming trend overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are rapidly
with long-term psychological problems and increased gaining momentum, becoming one of the most serious
health conditions. Obesity has effects of utmost relevance public health challenges of the 21 century. Children today,
st
to physical and metabolic health and to the risk of non- either in the Western population or worldwide, may face a
communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, shorter life span due to obesity. 21,22
Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea syndrome.
In addition, it is associated with insulin resistance and Obesity is rising in all countries (not only those with
chronic inflammation. Childhood obesity also leads to a high income). The prevalence of obesity is climbing in
a few psychosocial consequences like low self-esteem, low- and middle-income countries, especially in urban
depression, and social stigmatization. When taken all areas. For instance, in China, the rate of obesity has
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together, these disorders result in reduced quality of life in increased from 2.15% to 13.99% within just 22 years.
the affected children and adolescents. 16 Childhood obesity has been a major concern too, with the
share of overweight children aged 5 – 19 years old rising
The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the
risks of obesity. Obese children share similar risk factors from 10% in 2000 to 18% by 2018. Furthermore, around 41
million children under five were overweight in the world
with adults: underlying cardio-respiratory disorders, 24
compromised immune function, and chronic clinical in 2019.
inflammation. These are the reasons why they are more at Obesity is now referred to as a term sociologists call a
risk of experiencing grave side effects of such infections global synergistic epidemic alongside undernutrition and
as COVID-19. Children who are obese tend to have climate change. In fact, studies suggest that if the current
weaker immune systems, which render them vulnerable trend continues, the figures for obesity will reach their
to bacterial pneumonia infection which is among the highest level between 2030 and 2052. If this trend persists,
most common and severe complications associated with the US and the UK will see an incidence of obesity of 44% in
COVID-19. 17 males and 37% in females. On the opposite extreme, obesity
The pandemic has also exacerbated sedentary incidence is highest in Denmark and the Netherlands. This
behaviors, with increased screen time, consumption of emerging trend poses great risks to economies and health
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unhealthy foods, and sleep disturbances contributing to systems across the globe.
increased weight gain and accumulation of central fat. 6. Health impacts of obesity: Associated
Disruptions in daily routines, including stress from illness diseases and risks
and increased time indoors, have impeded children’s
ability to maintain healthy sleep patterns. Moreover, a Obese states put one in a health risk, as 5 million deaths
number of genetic and environmental factors have also annually arise due to non-communicable diseases such as
been associated with obesity in childhood. These include heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory diseases.
habits of behavior, sociocultural and socioeconomic Childhood and adolescent obesity enhances the risks for
influences leading to poor eating habits, sedentary life, chronic diseases in adulthood and also diminishes social
and lack of sleep. Prevention programs should be designed life, mental health, and quality of life due to stigmatization
focusing on practical, effective solutions to ensure optimal, and prejudices faced. Obese children are most likely to be
long-term health for all children and help to reduce health obese in their adulthood. It is also alarming in terms of
inequities. 18 economic burden, as it is predicted that the cost of obesity

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 3 doi: 10.36922/imo.8316