In 2022, over 33 percent of both men and women in the United States reported themselves as obese (BMI over 30), making it the country with the highest percentage of obese adults on this list. Other selected countries on the list with a high prevalence of obesity among adults included the United Kingdom and Australia. Obesity groups in the United States In 2022, Black adults had the highest overweight and obesity rates of any race or ethnicity in the United States. Asians and Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders had the lowest rates by far, with roughly 14 percent. In 2021, about 30 percent of people aged 65 and older were obese in the United States. This estimate has been steadily increasing since 2013 when roughly 27 percent of elderly Americans were obese. Leading health problems worldwide Obesity was considered one of 2023’s biggest health problems: 25 percent of adults worldwide stated that obesity was the biggest health issue for people within their country. Around 44 percent of adults stated that mental health was the most significant problem facing their country that year.

In 2020, the countries with the highest share of men who were overweight or obese were Tonga, Samoa, and the United States. At that time, around 80 percent of men in Tonga aged 20 years and older were overweight or obese. Men were considered overweight if they had a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25kg/m², and obese if they had a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m². Obesity among men Women tend to have higher rates of obesity than men, but worldwide rates have risen for both and are expected to climb in the coming years. In 2020, around 14 percent of men worldwide were obese, compared to 18 percent of women. The region of the Americas has the highest prevalence of obesity among men, but every region is expected to see increases in obesity among men over the next decade. In 2020, around 32 percent of men in the Americas were considered obese, with this rate expected to rise to 47 percent by 2035. Obesity raises the risk of developing a number of health conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Obesity in the United States In 2023, almost 33 percent of adults in the United States were considered obese. This was an increase from 27.4 percent in the year 2011. Women in the United States have slightly higher rates of obesity than men, with 33.5 percent of women obese in 2023, compared to 32.1 percent of men. The states with the highest obesity rates are West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. In 2023, an astounding 41 percent of adults in West Virginia were obese. Unhealthy eating behaviors and a lack of physical exercise are the main drivers of obesity.

As of 2016, the most overweight countries worldwide included Nauru, Palau, and the Cook Islands. As of that time, around 70 percent of the adult population in the United States was either overweight or obese. This statistic shows the countries with the highest share of the population that is overweight or obese as of 2016.

As of 2022, in nearly every country in Europe, over half of adults were classed as overweight or obese. The highest rate was recorded in Romania with 67 percent of adults self-reporting as overweight or obese. In both Croatia and the United Kingdom, around 64 percent of adults had a BMI of over 25. Europe one of the worst affected regions Europe had the second-highest number of obese adults across the WHO regions, only behind the region of the Americas. Over 191 million adults aged 20 years were classed as obese in Europe in 2020. The number of obese adults in Europe was forecast to grow to 263 million by 2035. Problems also with childhood obesity In 2020, 89 million children in Europe were overweight, the highest across all continents. It was forecast with current trends that, by 2035, 125 million children would be overweight. A further 70 million children across the continent were classed as obese. Children that are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of developing numerous health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure.

This statistic depicts the distribution of people who are overweight and/or obese in Latin America as of June 2018, by country. As of June 2018, 64 percent of Mexico's population was overweight or obese.

West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas are the U.S. states with the highest percentage of their population who are obese. The states with the lowest percentage of their population who are obese include Colorado, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. Obesity in the United States Obesity is a growing problem in many countries around the world, but the United States has the highest rate of obesity among all OECD countries. The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen steadily over the previous two decades, with no signs of declining. Obesity in the U.S. is more common among women than men, and overweight and obesity rates are higher among African Americans than any other race or ethnicity. Causes and health impacts Obesity is most commonly the result of a combination of poor diet, overeating, physical inactivity, and a genetic susceptibility. Obesity is associated with various negative health impacts, including an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and diabetes type 2. As of 2022, around 8.4 percent of the U.S. population had been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is currently the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.

In 2020, Tonga was the country with the highest share of women who were overweight or obese worldwide, with around 87 percent of women with a high body mass index (BMI). This statistic shows the countries with the highest share of women who were overweight or obese in 2020.

This statistic shows the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in OECD countries as of 2015. In Japan, less than four percent of adults were classified as obese. In comparison, the percentage for adults in the United States was about 38 percent.

As of 2021, approximately 69 percent of men and 59 percent of women in the United Kingdom considered themselves overweight or obese. Across the European countries featured, overweight and obesity was more prevalent among males.

In 2016, the prevalence of obesity among adults in the Middle East was the highest for Kuwait at about 38 percent, and the lowest for Yemen at about 17 percent. The MENA region has high levels of obesity among adults, especially for high income countries such as the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC).

In 2022, Egypt had the highest obesity rate of girls between 5 and 19 years old among countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at 22.45 percent. Five of the six Gulf Cooperation countries had an obesity rate of above 15 percent.

Approximately six percent of adolescents (10-19 years old) worldwide were obese in the year 2016, up from 2.4 percent in 2000. The statistic illustrates the percentage of people worldwide who were overweight and obese in 2000 and 2016, by age.

Obesity rates among adults in African countries reveal significant disparities, with South Africa leading at nearly 31 percent as of 2022. This stark contrast in obesity prevalence across the continent highlights the complex interplay between economic development, lifestyle changes, and health outcomes. As some nations grapple with rising obesity rates, others face persistent challenges of undernourishment and food insecurity. Nutrition challenges across Africa Malnutrition remains a widespread issue in Africa, which hinders overall development and well-being. As of 2023, approximately 20 percent of the African population was undernourished, with Eastern and Middle Africa experiencing the highest rates at 29 percent and 28.9 percent, respectively. In Southern Africa, Mozambique faces severe dietary challenges, with almost 94 percent of its population unable to afford a healthy diet in 2022. These statistics underscore the diverse nutritional challenges across the continent. Health implications and future projections The varying obesity rates and nutritional deficiencies in African countries have significant implications for public health. By 2045, an estimated 7.46 million people in Africa are expected to be living with diabetes, a condition often associated with obesity. Additionally, cancer rates are on the rise, with over 1.18 million new cases reported in 2022. Obesity has been linked to a heightened risk of developing cancer as fat cells release signals in the body which cause inflammation and excess hormone production. These health trends highlight the need for comprehensive strategies to address both obesity and malnutrition while improving access to healthcare services across the continent.

In 2022, women in Egypt had the highest obesity rate amongst countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at nearly 59 percent. All six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries had an obesity rate of above 40 percent.

In 2022, Qatar had the highest prevalence of male obesity amongst countries in the Middle East and North Africa at almost 41 percent. Four of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries had a male obesity rate of above 32.9 percent.

By 2025, the prevalence of obese women in the United Kingdom is projected to be at 36 percent, this would be the highest obesity prevalence in women compared to EU countries. Ireland with 33.4 percent was forecast to have the second highest prevalence of obese women in Europe, followed by Malta at 32 percent.

As of 2016, the most obese countries worldwide included Nauru, the Cook Islands, and Palau. As of this time, around 61 percent of the adult population of Nauru was obese. This statistic shows the countries with the highest share of the adult population who are obese worldwide as of 2016.

Malaysia tipped the ASEAN scale as having the highest share of the population being classified as obese in 2019, with over 15 percent of its population classed as obese. Contrastingly, just over two percent of Vietnam’s population was considered obese in 2019.

Obesity in APAC

The Asia Pacific region has the highest number of overweight and obese people in the world. Additionally, Australia and New Zealand had the highest share of overweight children globally. Diets across the region are rapidly changing as new food trends emerge. The development of economies across the region has made food more affordable and the transition from agriculture to industrialization has made employment for many citizens less physically demanding. These factors can be seen as having contributed to the rise of obesity across the region.

Poor diets

However, as the obesity rate increases, the levels of food insecurity across the Asia Pacific region have also risen. Food insecurity in South Asia has notably risen steadily since 2015. Malnutrition and undernourishment continue to be problems for the region, with many of its citizens not consuming enough essential vitamins and minerals in their diets. Furthermore, a low share of children in South and East Asia were eating from the minimum number of food groups in 2019.

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen gradually over the past decade. As of 2023, around ** percent of the population aged 18 years and older was obese. Obesity is a growing problem in many parts of the world, but is particularly troubling in the United States. Obesity in the United States The states with the highest prevalence of obesity are West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. As of 2023, a shocking ** percent of the population in West Virginia were obese. The percentage of adults aged 65 years and older who are obese has grown in recent years, compounding health issues that develop with age. Health impacts of obesity Obesity is linked to several negative health impacts including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Unsurprisingly, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes has increased in the United States over the years. As of 2022, around *** percent of the population had been diagnosed with diabetes. Some of the most common types of cancers caused by obesity include breast cancer in postmenopausal women, colon and rectum cancer, and corpus and uterus cancer.

This statistis displays the growth in obesity rates in selected European countries in 1975 and 2014. The obesity rate in Ireland grew from 5.1 percent in 1975 to 25.2 percent in 2014.