Trend Lifestyle-driven loss of healthy years; overweight rising

Summary

The report finds that health problems and the loss of healthy life years are increasingly determined by lifestyle. Worldwide, more people are now overweight than underweight, and in the Netherlands overweight is rising fast in every age group under 65, with consequences for related chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease. The causes named include diets with too much sugar and fat and too little fibre, vegetables and fruit, persistently low physical activity, a sedentary work culture and growing screen time among children and adults. A new generation of obesity drugs of the GLP-1 type could dampen the trend, but their high cost leaves broad long-term use uncertain. The report also cites the densification of urban residential areas, which reduces space for sport and exercise.