Global Obesity Has Reached Pandemic Levels, According to New Report by Aetna International

Urgent action is required to limit the global fallout from rising obesity levels, according to a report published today by Aetna International, one of the world’s leading health insurance providers.

Aetna International combined data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations, governments and the global food industry to form a comprehensive analysis which presents a true picture of global obesity. The report, “Globesity: Tackling the world’s obesity pandemic”, calls upon governments, food producers, retailers, employers and insurance companies to combine their efforts to tackle the obesity crisis.

Richard di Benedetto, President of Aetna International, said: “The rise in obesity rates make it clear; there needs to be a shift in the narrative around diet and healthy living. We must work together to combine our knowledge and expertise in order to curb the rise of globesity.”

The WHO statistics show that obesity rates have more than doubled since 1980, with 13 percent of adults worldwide classified as obese and nearly 40 percent as overweight. The report findings show that these numbers will rise further if urgent, collaborative and targeted action is not taken.

The report concludes that the only way to tackle globesity is through a newly formed holistic approach combining health incentives, taxes and education programs. It has been proven that one of the most effective means of reducing obesity is providing clear information about the direct correlation between nutrition, weight gain and non-communicable diseases.

“Aetna is committed to being part of the solution to globesity and to creating a stronger, healthier global community. We are working towards establishing a think-tank with the sole purpose of finding solutions to the problems presented by worldwide obesity”, concludes Mr di Benedetto.

Ends

Notes to the Editors

About Aetna International

Aetna International is committed to helping create a stronger, healthier global community by delivering comprehensive health care benefits and population health solutions worldwide. One of the largest providers of international private medical insurance, Aetna International serves more than 700,000 members worldwide, including expatriates, local nationals and business travellers. Its global benefits include medical, dental, vision and emergency assistance and, in some regions, life and disability. Aetna International also offers customised technological and health management solutions for health care systems, government entities and large employers to improve people’s health, enhance quality of care and contain costs. For more information, see www.aetnainternational.com.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 46.7 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna's customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see http://www.aetna.com/ and learn about how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world. @AetnaNews

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Contact information

Enquiries for Aetna International
Roisin Miller
Grayling Communications
Aetna@grayling.com
+44(0)20-3861-3826