What are the most obese countries?
It is estimated that around 38.9 percent of the world population is overweight or obese, however rates of obesity can differ drastically from country to country. The countries with the highest share of the population that is overweight or obese are the Pacific Island countries of Nauru, Palau, and the Cook Islands. In Nauru an astonishing 87.9 percent of the population is overweight or obese. The United States, well known for it’s struggles with obesity, is the 12th most overweight/obese country in the world. When compared with similarly wealthy countries, the United States has a much higher rate of obesity than its counterparts. Around 32.6 percent of both men and women in the United States self-report that they are obese, compared to 14.6 percent of women and 18.1 percent of men in Germany, and just 3.2 percent of women and 5.3 percent of men in South Korea.Obesity among children and adolescents
The problem of obesity among children and adolescents is particularly alarming as obese children have a greater chance of being obese in adulthood or experiencing disability or premature death as adults. The regions of Australia and New Zealand have the highest percentage of overweight children worldwide, however Southern Africa and Northern Africa are the regions with the second and third highest share of overweight children, respectively. Among 35 OECD countries, on average around 28.6 percent of girls and 34 percent of boys aged 0 to 19 years are overweight or obese. In the United States, just over 40 percent of girls and almost 46 percent of boys in this age group are overweight or obese. By the year 2030, it is predicted that there will be almost 17 million children and adolescents in the United States who are obese, while China is forecasted to have almost 62 million obese children and adolescents by this time. The simplest ways for children and adults alike to lose weight and avoid becoming overweight or obese are by eating a healthy and balanced diet and through physical exercise.
