Childhood and teen obesity rates have levelled off in the United States, north-western Europe and other rich countries, but remain “unacceptably high” there, researchers at Imperial College London and the World Health Organization (WHO) said. Clear food labels on salt, sugar and fat content are needed to help consumers make “healthy choices”, the study said. Rapid TransitionSouth Africa, Egypt and Mexico which had “very low levels of obesity four decades ago” now have among the high rates of obesity in girls, between 20-25 percent, Ezzati said. Among high-income countries, the United States had “the highest obesity rates for girls and boys”, 19.5 percent and 23.3 percent, respectively. “It’s the changing environments, food, behaviours, portions, consumption patterns have completely changed over the last 40 years.

Source: bd News24 October 10, 2017 23:15 UTC