To compile a list of countries with the highest rates of obesity, we first used data from the World Health Organization (WHO), which lists the percentage of a country's population with a BMI greater than 30. Then, the corresponding number of people with obesity rate per 100,000 people is calculated, and the final list of the most obese countries in the world is as follows.
20. United Arab Emirates
31,700 people are obese per 100,000 people
The UAE is a Middle Eastern country that has quickly climbed the ladder of global wealth in just a few decades. It earns foreign exchange mainly through oil, but it also has a well-developed service economy.
19. Arab Republic of Egypt
32,000 obese people per 100,000 people
Egypt is one of the oldest countries in the world. It has a population of 109 million people, which also makes it one of the most populous countries in the world. With an average BMI of 29.2, Egyptians are obese all the time.
18. Lebanese Republic
32,000 obese people per 100,000 people
Lebanon is a Middle Eastern country with an economy of $19 billion, making it one of the smallest countries in the region. It has recently experienced a devastating economic crisis, with a GDP per capita of around $2,000.
17. Republic of Turkey
Number of obese people per 100,000 population: 32,100
Turkey is a European and Asian country with a dynamic economy made up of industrial and high-tech sectors. It is also the most obese country in Europe.
16. State of Libya
Obese per 100,000 people: 32,5oo
Libya is a relatively wealthy African country with a high level of housing and education security programs due to its abundant oil resources and sparse population.
15. State of Qatar
There are 35,100 obese people per 100,000 people
Qatar is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. It has a GDP per capita of $82,877 and relies heavily on tourism and oil exports to fuel its economy.
14. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
35,400 people per 100,000 people are obese
Saudi Arabia is an oil-rich country. It is the world's largest oil exporter, with an economy worth $1 trillion.
13. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
There are 35,500 obese people per 100,000 people
Jordan is one of the oldest countries in the world, with dozens of landmarks and evidence of ancient civilizations. Today, it has a population of 11 million.
12. United States of America
There are 38,200 obese people per 100,000 people
Americans consume more than two hundred liters of sugary beverages per year. The United States is also a developed country with the highest obesity rate in the world, with some states having an obesity rate of more than 70%.
11. State of Kuwait
37,000 obese per 100,000 people
Kuwait is another prosperous Middle Eastern country. It has an economy of $183 billion and a GDP per capita of $38,123.
10. Federated States of Micronesia
45,800 people are obese per 100,000 people
Micronesia is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of area and population. Nearly half of the population is obese, and agriculture is the dominant sector of the economy.
9. Republic of Kiribati
There are 46,000 obese people per 100,000 people
Kiribati is another island nation with an economy of just $248 million. The country benefits from international aid, with a GDP per capita of $1,989.
8. Independent State of Samoa
47,300 obese per 100,000 people
Samoa is an island nation with a relatively diversified economy, dominated by exports of some manufactured goods, agricultural products and oil.
7. Kingdom of Tonga
There are 48,200 obese people per 100,000 people
Tonga is an island nation of nearly two hundred islands. Its economy is largely dependent on the agricultural sector for foreign exchange.
6. Niue
50,000 obese people per 100,000 people
Niue has a population of only 100,000, so it's safe to say that about half of the population suffers from obesity.
5. Tuvalu
There are 51,600 obese people per 100,000 people
Tuvalu is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. Importing large quantities of food from developing countries is a significant cause of obesity in Tuvalu. Tuvalu is home to about 12,000 people, and like Niue, more than half of its inhabitants have a BMI above 30. Women in Tuvalu are more obese than men, with obesity rates of 71% and 65% respectively. They are gender. Tuvalu has a smaller economy of $45 million and a GDP per capita of $2,970.
4. Republic of the Marshall Islands
There are 52,900 obese people per 100,000 people
The Marshall Islands is another Pacific island nation with a population of just over 60,000. With an area of only 181 square kilometers, it is also one of the smallest countries in the world. Compared to the regional average of 31.7%, the Marshall Islands has a fairly high obesity rate. It plays a vital role in the global shipping industry, which makes it a large oil importer, as ships often dock in the Marshall Islands before transferring their products to other vessels.
3. Republic of Palau
There are 55,300 obese people per 100,000 people
Palau is an oceanic island nation of more than 300 islands. It has a GDP per capita of $17,436 but a population of about 18,000 people. A key factor in obesity among Palauan women is associated with preterm birth – a factor that is prevalent in countries with poorer healthcare systems. Palauan women are more obese than men, with data showing that 62.1% of women and 55.8% of women have a body mass index greater than 30.
2. Cook Islands
55,000 people are obese per 100,000 people
Like other Pacific countries, the Cook Islands suffers from obesity. The obesity epidemic is thought to be caused by the large consumption of imported Western food by the inhabitants and their limited access to the healthcare system. The Cook Islands has a relatively high GDP per capita of around US$22,000, and high rates of obesity also contribute to related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Obesity in the region is also thought to be a genetic factor, as residents who migrate to countries such as the Cook Islands require greater body size and high fat storage capacity to withstand long and arduous sea trips.
1. Republic of Nauru
61,000 obese people per 100,000 people
Nauru, with a population of about 11,000 people, has seen an increase in obesity rates as mining wealth has enabled it to import Western food and halt traditional agricultural and fishing activities. However, obesity is a status symbol in this country, as initially only wealthy chiefs had enough food to gain weight.