noun phrase · neutral

obesity epidemic

UK/əˈbɛsɪti ˌepɪˈdɛmɪk/US/oʊˈbɛsəti ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk/o·BE·si·ty EPI·DE·mic

Band 7+speakingtask2

A rapid and widespread increase in the number of people who are obese in a population.

Examples

Many governments are concerned about the obesity epidemic among children.

Public health campaigns aim to curb the obesity epidemic.

An obesity epidemic raises long-term costs for the healthcare system.

Band 8 sentence

The obesity epidemic among urban children is a major public-health challenge that demands coordinated policy action.

Collocations

  • tackle the obesity epidemic
  • obesity rates

Word family

obesity nounobese adjectiveepidemic noun

Common mistakes

the problem of fat peoplethe obesity epidemic

increase of obesityrise in obesity / increase in obesity rates

Say it for a higher band

5obesity problem6rising obesity7+obesity epidemic

Synonyms

obesity crisis

Easily confused

obesity crisis

The government declared an obesity crisis after the survey results.

Related words

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In Sport & Exercise

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