Obesity in Youth Surges 40%: Experts Warn New Generations at Higher Risk

MADRID (EUROPA PRESS) – Gontrand López-Nava, the head of the Bariatric Endoscopy Unit at HM Sanchinarro University Hospital, has highlighted a concerning increase in obesity among the youth, particularly noting a more than 40 percent rise among those aged 18 to 24 years. This surge suggests a higher susceptibility to obesity in newer generations.

“Obesity rates are climbing among individuals aged 18 to 34, whereas there’s a noticeable decline starting from the age of 35, indicating that younger generations are more at risk of becoming obese,” López-Nava explained.

The specialist referenced data from the 2023 Spain Health Survey, which shows that obesity affects roughly 7 percent of young people between 18 and 24 years old, up from under 5 percent in 2020.

For those aged 25 to 34 years, the increase in obesity rates is slightly lower, yet still on the rise, growing from 9.9 to 10.6 percent. “Our diets have changed, and technology use has increased at younger ages. Obesity is a silent pandemic that should not be underestimated,” warns López-Nava.

According to the expert, “simply exercising or taking weight loss injections is not enough; we need to change our nutritional habits and have the necessary psychological support to turn this situation around.”

López-Nava also pointed out that while GLP-1 medications are becoming more popular, they lose effectiveness once their use is discontinued. “Medications can be a quick fix, but anyone using them should be aware that the results are not permanent,” he admits.

Therefore, he recommends bariatric endoscopy: “Medications target the brain. Bariatric endoscopy targets the organ we use to eat: the stomach. It is a minimally invasive procedure that leaves no scars and involves creating temporary folds in the stomach. Over the years, the stomach returns to its natural state, ideally with the person having adopted a much healthier lifestyle and nutrition routine,” López-Nava concludes.