Document written by Raïssa Blankoff, naturopath.

Worldwide and in ten years, the number of obese people has increased by an estimated 75% (WHO), leading to a very significant increase in diabetes, a major consequence of obesity, which however retains its own causes.¹. In 1995, diabetes affected 30 million people worldwide, today it affects 220 million. The forecasts are 336 million for 2030. In France, 32% of people over 18 are overweight, or 14 million people and 14,5% are obese, this proportion having doubled between 1997 and 2009. In France, there are 3 million diabetics of which 2 million have gone through a long illness. The countries which are currently experiencing the greatest increase are Mexico, India and China. Obesity affects 25% to 30% of the population in the United States and Great Britain. The poorest populations are the most affected. Globally, 15 million people suffer from chronic diseases, with an increase of 5% per year. More than half of adults in the European Union are overweight, especially populations in great poverty.

The important role of the environment

Diseases cardiovascular were quadrupled compared to the demographic curve. The cost of asthma attributable to the environment is evaluated between 0,2 and 0,8 billion euros for 2010. More and more scientists agree that the classic vision of care is no longer relevant and that scientific data is now sufficient to affirm that the environment plays an important role in these epidemics , that it will affect several generations and that it is high time for politicians to take the measure of this epidemic and then take the necessary measures, particularly in terms of ecology and preservation of the natural environment to try to curb or even reverse the curve of these chronic diseases of obesity and diabetes.

Source: Note: Colloquium April 4 at the National Assembly Chemical environment, obesity, diabetes: an observation for better prevention – Environment Health Network (RES) with André CICOLELLA; French mutuality; Foundation of France