Stephen Hawking calls obesity ‘worst health problem’ of 21st century

In a minute long video, Stephen Hawking warned against the greatest challenged being faced by humanity.

Hawking who is considered the smartest man alive calls obesity the worst health problem of the 21st century.

Not only does being overweight raise the risk of developing cancer, it also increases the chances of heart disease – the planet’s leading killer.

While being obese is also known to reduce life expectancy by up to 10 years.

The renowned theoretical physicist made the claim in an advert for a Swedish organisation that aims to boost young people’s health.

“Today too many people die from complications related to overweight and obesity. We eat too much and move too little. Fortunately, the solution is simple. More physical activity and change in diet.”

‘Fortunately the solution is simple. More physical activity and change in diet. It’s not rocket science.

‘For what it’s worth, how being sedentary has become a major health problem is beyond my understanding.’

The advert finishes with a black screen showing the message that physical inactivity is now the world’s fourth leading cause of death.

Figures earlier this year revealed more than one in ten men and one in seven women around the world are now obese.

And experts said the situation is only going to get worse as they predicted a fifth of adults will fall into that category within a decade.

To avoid an epidemic, scientists say policies are needed to slow down the global increase in body weight.

While a healthier diet and increased amounts of exercise should also be followed in order to prevent obesity and its deadly complications.

They have also warned that the probability of reaching the World Health Organization’s global obesity target – no rise in obesity above 2010 levels by 2025 – will be close to zero.

Watch the video here: