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Epidemiologic and economic consequences of the global epidemics of obesity and diabetes

Nature Medicine volume 12, pages 62–66 (2006)Cite this article

A Corrigendum to this article was published on 01 March 2006

This article has been updated

Overweight and obesity, the main drivers of type 2 diabetes, have long been regarded as health risks associated with affluence. Over the last decade, profound changes in the quality, quantity and source of food consumed in many developing countries, combined with a decrease in levels of physical activity among the population, have led to an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and its complications. Here, we present quantitative estimates of the epidemiological and economic impact of obesity and diabetes on developing countries. We provide the economic rationale for public policy action. We stress the importance of creating a roadmap to guide the development of comprehensive policies involving governments and private companies, and emphasize the need for experimentation in building the evidence while testing theories.

Overweight and obesity, the main drivers of type 2 diabetes, have long been regarded as health risks associated with affluence. Over the last decade, profound changes in the quality, quantity and source of food consumed in many developing countries, combined with a decrease in levels of physical activity among the population, have led to an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and its complications. Here, we present quantitative estimates of the epidemiological and economic impact of obesity and diabetes on developing countries. We provide the economic rationale for public policy action. We stress the importance of creating a roadmap to guide the development of comprehensive policies involving governments and private companies, and emphasize the need for experimentation in building the evidence while testing theories.

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Figure 1
Figure 2

Change history

  • 24 February 2006

    In the version of this article initially published, some information about sources was omitted. The citation of the data source for Table 1 should have included a reference to the World Health Organization SuRF 2 Report for the country estimates and the World Health Organization Global InfoBase for Global/Income group estimates. Figures 1 and 2 should have included a reference to Wild et al. (Diabetes Care 27, 1047–1053; 2004). This error has been corrected in the PDF version of the article.

Notes

  1. Note: In the version of this article initially published, some information about sources was omitted. The citation of the data source for Table 1 should have included a reference to the World Health Organization SuRF 2 Report for the country estimates and the World Health Organization Global InfoBase for Global/Income group estimates. Figures 1 and 2 should have included a reference to Wild et al. (Diabetes Care 27, 1047–1053; 2004). This error has been corrected in the PDF version of the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale University School of Public Health, 309 Edwards Street, New Haven, 06520, Connecticut, USA

    Derek Yach & David Stuckler

  2. Yale University Department of Psychology and Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity,

    Kelly D Brownell

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  1. Derek Yach
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  3. Kelly D Brownell
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Correspondence to Derek Yach.

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Yach, D., Stuckler, D. & Brownell, K. Epidemiologic and economic consequences of the global epidemics of obesity and diabetes. Nat Med 12, 62–66 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0106-62

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