Half of world on track to be overweight or obese by 2035, report says
CBSJUL 2023
Study: More than One Billion People Worldwide are Obese
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The Spin
Narrative A
Habits and personality traits acquired in early life play a major role in how an individual's body turns out. Studies have shown that children showing low conscientiousness — and are irresponsible, careless, and disorganized — are likely to battle obesity later in life. A key part of being conscientious is developing self-control, which could enable them to evolve into healthy adults.
Narrative B
We must stop viewing obesity as merely a lifestyle disease, with a "lack of will" and nonchalance about one's "looks" as contributing factors. The abnormal or excess accumulation of fat in one's body is a more complex phenomenon and is caused by multiple factors. These include genes, environment, imbalanced food intake, and lack of physical activity. It's a chronic problem, and its treatment could do without the stigma attached to it.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 50% chance that at least 45% of Americans will be obese in 2032, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
