World Obesity Ranking

The World Obesity Ranking is a comprehensive report that ranks countries based on their obesity rates. The report is published annually by the World Obesity Federation and provides valuable insights into the global obesity epidemic.

Obesity is a major public health concern worldwide, with more than 650 million adults and 124 million children classified as obese. The condition is associated with a range of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The World Obesity Ranking aims to raise awareness of the issue and encourage governments and individuals to take action to address it.

The ranking is based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other sources, including national surveys and studies. The data is used to calculate the prevalence of obesity in each country, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. The rankings are then determined based on the percentage of the population that is classified as obese.

The latest World Obesity Ranking, published in 2021, shows that the global obesity epidemic continues to worsen. The report reveals that more than one in ten adults worldwide are now classified as obese, with rates highest in the Americas and lowest in Asia. The top ten countries with the highest obesity rates are as follows:

1. Nauru – 61.0%
2. Cook Islands – 55.9%
3. Palau – 55.3%
4. Marshall Islands – 52.9%
5. Tuvalu – 51.6%
6. Niue – 50.0%
7. Tonga – 48.2%
8. Samoa – 47.3%
9. Kiribati – 46.0%
10. Micronesia – 45.8%

These countries are all small island nations in the Pacific region, where traditional diets have been replaced by processed foods and sugary drinks. The high rates of obesity in these countries are a result of a combination of factors, including poor diet, lack of physical activity, and genetic predisposition.

In contrast, the countries with the lowest obesity rates are concentrated in Asia, where traditional diets and active lifestyles are still prevalent. The top ten countries with the lowest obesity rates are as follows:

1. Vietnam – 2.1%
2. Bangladesh – 3.6%
3. Nepal – 3.9%
4. Eritrea – 4.0%
5. Ethiopia – 4.3%
6. Cambodia – 4.9%
7. India – 5.3%
8. Afghanistan – 5.5%
9. Timor-Leste – 5.6%
10. Madagascar – 5.8%

These countries have much lower rates of obesity due to a combination of factors, including a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and a culture that values physical activity and outdoor recreation.

The World Obesity Ranking also highlights the growing obesity epidemic in developed countries, where rates have been steadily increasing over the past few decades. The United States, for example, has the highest obesity rate among developed countries, with more than one-third of adults classified as obese. Other developed countries with high obesity rates include Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The report also highlights the economic impact of obesity, which is estimated to cost the global economy more than $2 trillion annually. This includes the cost of healthcare, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life. The report calls for urgent action to address the issue, including policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity, and measures to reduce the availability and marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks.

In conclusion, the World Obesity Ranking provides a valuable tool for understanding the global obesity epidemic and identifying the countries and regions most affected by the issue. The report highlights the need for urgent action to address the issue, both at the individual and government level, and calls for a coordinated global response to tackle the problem. By working together, we can reduce the prevalence of obesity and improve the health and wellbeing of people around the world.