Obesity increase fuelling malnutrition, study says

According to the 2016 Global Nutrition Report, 44 per cent of countries are experiencing serious levels of both under-nutrition and obesity.

The study examined 129 countries and found that one in three people suffered from malnutrition in some form. Originally, malnutrition was associated with children who have lack of access to food, have stunted growth and are prone to infection. However, the report has instead outlined a ‘staggering global challenge’ posed by rising obesity.

It claimed that hundreds of millions of people were malnourished because they were overweight, and consumed too much sugar, salt or high cholesterol foods.

Professor Corinna Hawkes, who co-chaired the research, said the study was ‘redefining what the world thinks of as being malnourished’.

She added: “Malnutrition literally means bad nutrition - that's anyone who isn't adequately nourished. You have outcomes like you are too thin, you're not growing fast enough… or it could mean that you're overweight or you have high blood sugar, which leads to diabetes.”

Co-chairman Lawrence Haddad said: "We now live in a world where being malnourished is the new normal. It is a world that we must all claim as totally unacceptable."