Obesity is increasing worldwide, especially among children and teenagers. More than 150 million children in the world are obese in 2019. These children have increased risk of heart disease, cancers and type 2 diabetes.

Teenagers with obesity are likely to remain obese as adults. If these trends continue, 70% of adults aged 40 could be either overweight or obese by 2040.

I am a neuroscientist and my research investigates how diet changes the brain. I want to understand how unhealthy diets impact the developing brain, and also why young people today are so prone to developing obesity.

Adolescents are the greatest consumers of calorie-rich ‘junk’ foods. During puberty, many children have an insatiable appetite as rapid growth requires lots of energy.