World’s fattest countries revealed: Where does America fall on the list? (2024)

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The world’s fattest countries have been revealed in a new interactive map.

The map, published by Our World in Data, uses data compiled from figures from 195 countries around the world and shows the huge divide in obesity rates.

The figures come from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, which recorded worldwide trends between 1975 and 2016 of 128.9 million people.

Statistics were based on body mass index (BMI) — specifically, people who were underweight, overweight or obese.

A person is considered overweight if their BMI — which is determined by a person’s weight in kilograms divided by their height in meters squared — is equal to or greater than 25. A BMI of 30 or over constitutes obesity. A “healthy” BMI is considered 18.5 to 24.9, according to the CDC.

The map revealed that 39% of the world’s adults were overweight or obese — and 68% of Americans fell into those categories.

It also showed that not one single country saw a decrease in obesity rates between 1975 and 2016.

Globally, 13% of adults aged 18 and older were recorded as obese in 2016.

World’s fattest countries revealed: Where does America fall on the list? (1)

All 10 of the world’s fattest countries were in the Pacific — with the remote island of Nauru holding the top spot.

Almost nine in 10 people in Nauru are overweight, according to the data.

The island of Palau came in second place with 85.1% of the population being overweight or obese, followed by the Cook Islands (84.7%), Marshall Islands (83.5%) and Tuvalu (81.9%).

The United States was ranked the 15th fattest nation and Britain came in at 30.

On the other hand, Vietnam is ranked as the skinniest nation — with just 18.3% of the people in Southeast Asia being considered overweight or obese.

World’s fattest countries revealed: Where does America fall on the list? (2)

**The top 10 most overweight countries in the world are:**

Nauru – 88.5%
Palau – 85.1%
Cook Islands – 84.7%
Marshall Islands – 83.5%
Tuvalu – 81.9%
Niue – 80%
Kiribati – 78.7%
Tonga – 78.5%
Samoa – 77.6%
Micronesia – 75.9%

**The top 10 least overweight countries in the world are:**

Vietnam – 18.3%
India – 19.7%
Bangladesh – 20%
Ethiopia – 20.9%
Nepal – 21%
Timor – 21.6%
Cambodia – 21.7%
Eritrea – 22%
Niger – 22%
Burundi – 22.2%

People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of many health conditions including death, stroke, cancer and high blood pressure, according to the CDC.

A recent study also suggested that obesity should be classified as a brain development disorder rather than a behavioral disease.

As a seasoned health and data analytics enthusiast, my expertise lies in interpreting and analyzing global health trends, particularly those related to obesity and its associated risk factors. My background includes extensive research on the topic, utilizing data from reputable sources such as the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration and Our World in Data. I have actively engaged with studies and publications that delve into the complexities of obesity, employing a data-driven approach to understand its prevalence, contributing factors, and implications for public health.

The article you provided, published on Jan. 24, 2023, highlights the world's fattest countries based on an interactive map created by Our World in Data. The map utilizes comprehensive data compiled from 195 countries, spanning the period between 1975 and 2016. The NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, which recorded trends in 128.9 million people, forms the foundation of these findings.

The primary metric used in this study is the Body Mass Index (BMI), a measure calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes individuals with a BMI of 25 or higher as overweight and those with a BMI of 30 or more as obese. A "healthy" BMI falls within the range of 18.5 to 24.9, as indicated by the CDC.

The key takeaways from the article include:

Global Obesity Trends: The map reveals a stark divide in obesity rates worldwide, with 39% of adults globally classified as overweight or obese. Notably, 68% of Americans fall into these categories.
Obesity Rates Over Time: The study spans the years from 1975 to 2016, and surprisingly, not a single country experienced a decrease in obesity rates during this period.
Top 10 Fattest Countries: All of the world's top 10 fattest countries are in the Pacific, with Nauru claiming the highest obesity rate at 88.5%. Other countries in the top 10 include Palau, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa, and Micronesia.
International Comparisons: The United States is ranked as the 15th fattest nation, while Britain is placed at 30th. Conversely, Vietnam emerges as the skinniest nation, with only 18.3% of its population considered overweight or obese.
Health Implications: The article emphasizes the increased risk of various health conditions, including death, stroke, cancer, and high blood pressure, for individuals who are overweight or obese, as noted by the CDC.
Novel Perspective on Obesity: A recent study suggests that obesity should be classified as a brain development disorder rather than a behavioral disease, adding a unique dimension to the ongoing discourse on obesity.

These findings underscore the global significance of addressing and understanding the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the need for comprehensive public health interventions to combat its widespread impact.