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.

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 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 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 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).

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.

By 2030, Hungary, Turkey, and Croatia were projected to have the highest prevalence of childhood obesity (between 5 and 19 years of age) across Europe at 19 percent. Across the whole of Europe, it was projected that just over 16 percent of children aged between five and nine years of age would be classed as obese by 2030.

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.

By 2025, the prevalence of obese men in Hungary was projected to be at 36 percent, this would be the highest obesity prevalence in men across all countries in the EU and the United Kingdom. Malta with 35.9 percent was forecast to have the second highest prevalence of obese men in Europe, followed by the United Kingdom at 35.4 percent.

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.

The prevalence of obesity in Latin America and the Caribbean is forecast to reach significant levels by 2035, with several countries attaining a prevalence of at least 40 percent among adults. In the Dominican Republic and Haiti, over half of the population could be affected. Even in countries with lower rates, at least a third of adults are expected to struggle with the condition.
Obesity and its impact on health
Obesity is associated with a range of diseases and medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. In Brazil alone, an estimated 16 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, resulting in yearly health expenses surpassing 40 billion U.S. dollars. If not treated, diabetes can result in additional health complications such as eye problems and cardiovascular conditions. Keeping a healthy diet Among other genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic causes, obesity is known to be strongly influenced by what people eat. In Latin America, the cost of a healthy diet has been constantly increasing in recent years, risking higher prevalence rates of the disease. Availability of unhealthy foods and a lack of time for preparing meals also discourage people from maintaining a healthy diet, resulting in the consumption of indulgent foods, snacks, and highly caloric beverages.

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.

This statistic displays the obesity prevalence among children in selected countries in Europe in 2016. That year, 12.5% of children in Greece were obese.

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen gradually over the past decade. As of 2023, around 33 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 41 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 8.4 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.

By 2030, Malta, Hungary, and the United Kingdom were projected to have the highest prevalence of obesity in their populations among men in Europe. Across the whole of Europe, approximately 30 percent of men were forecast to be classified as obese in 2030.

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.

In 2021, there were almost 221 deaths per 100,000 population in Egypt due to obesity, while the death rate for the United States was around 56 per 100,000 population. This statistic shows the rate of deaths attributed to obesity in select countries worldwide in 2021.