Report: Global cost of obesity rivals smoking, war

Obesity now rivals smoking and armed conflicts as the leading cause of death worldwide, a study released this week found (Source: “Obesity rivals smoking and war among self-inflicted health risks,” Los Angeles Times, Nov. 20, 2014).

According to the report by the London-based McKinsey Global Institute, more than 2.1 billion people, nearly 30% of the worldwide population, are overweight or obese. That is 2.5 times the proportion of adults and children around the world who are undernourished.

 Excess weight adds $2 trillion in costs to public health services and it is responsible for at least 5% of deaths each year, the researchers reported.

"Obesity isn't just a health issue, it's a major economic and business challenge," institute director Richard Dobbs said in an accompanying statement.