Washington (AFP)

The World Bank is calling on poor and developing countries, those most affected by overweight and obesity, to tax unhealthy foods because they are too fatty, too sweet or too salty, according to a report released Thursday.

The report "highlights the importance of a strong fiscal policy, such as the taxation of unhealthy food products," the Washington institution said in a statement.

Obesity, which is no longer just a problem in rich countries, has tripled since 1975 worldwide, and the costs associated with it are exploding for the countries concerned.

However, three-quarters of adults, and 80% of affected children, now live in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Latin America.

Many countries face undernourishment and obesity at the same time.

Increasing handicaps, costs linked to the health system, but also falling productivity, absenteeism at work, early retirement, ... the costs continue to climb, warns the World Bank.

In this report, the institution insists on the major role of governments, urging them to put in place effective health systems.

It also urges them to develop prevention and education measures (obligation to label processed foods, reduce salt and sugary drinks, invest in nutrition programs for young children), as well as deploy playgrounds in schools and pedestrian and bicycle paths.

The World Bank specifies that "obesity has major consequences on countries' economies and on human capital, since it reduces productivity and life expectancy, increases disabilities and costs of health care".

Overweight is one of the three leading causes of death in the world with 4 million deaths each year.

In the next 15 years, the costs linked to overweight are expected to reach 7,000 billion dollars in developing countries, according to a projection quoted by the institution.

In China, the cost of obesity-related health care rose from 0.5% of the country's annual health expenditure in 2000 to more than 3% in 2009.

In Brazil, these costs are expected to double, from $ 6 billion in 2010 to more than $ 10 billion in 2050.

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