1 billion people globally predicted to become obese by 2025

New analysis indicates UN's goal on diet-related disease will fail to be met due to the growing numbers of people becoming obese, as close to 1 billion of the world's adult population is predicted to become obese by 2025.

According to experts, the cause is the spread of the westernised diet around the world because of the food industry's big marketing strategy. During a 2011 UN summit, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was commissioned to set targets to reduce the rate in weight gain and obesity, as it is a contributing factor that has led to the rise in diabetes, heart disease, cancer.

The UN goal was set for 2025 of no increase in obesity or diabetes beyond the levels of 2010. However, World Obesity Federation (WOF) told the Gaurdian, the latest statistics show that goal will not be met. Research showed, in 2010, 11.5% of adults were obese and by 2014 it rose to 13%. The organisation revealed that if there is no action to reduce these numbers,17% of adults will be obese by 2025.

That means, 170 million adults with a BMI above 35 will need urgent medical treatment. WOF also revealed child obesity is also on rise in countries like the Middle East, Latin America, China and south east Asia, which will only contribute to the already alarming adult numbers.

Read: Obese kids may show signs of heart disease, diabetes - New study