The percentage of people in the Netherlands with overweight will increase to 64% in 2050, up from 50% in 2022. The percentage will increase for every age group, but the 18–44 age group will see the most significant increase. This is according to the new Dutch Public Health Foresight Study (PHF), which the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) will publish next week.
Generational differences: more overweight at a young age
People are becoming more likely to be overweight, and at an earlier age. Whereas 17% of 20–29-year-olds were overweight in 1990, this had already gone up to 32% in 2020. The PHF shows that this development is likely to continue. The possible effects of new measures, such as a reimbursement for medication to treat overweight, were not included in these calculations. Once someone is struggling with overweight, it is very difficult to get rid of this again, and people with overweight will encounter greater health risks in future.
About the PHF
The results above are derived from the 2024 Dutch Public Health Foresight Study (PHF), which RIVM publishes every four years. The PHF explores developments in public health and health services up to 2050. The full report will be released on 27 November. RIVM has already published PHF figures on the number of people with dementia and arthrosis in 2050.