Source: NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, Feb 2024 *Aged 18 and over with a BMI equal to or greater than 30
Posted on 10/25/2025 5:23:58 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
IT WAS NOT that long ago that more of the world’s people had too little to eat than ate too much. Now the scales have tipped. A study published on February 29th in the Lancet , a medical journal, shows that more than 1bn people were classified as obese in 2022, the latest year for which data are available. The researchers based their findings on the weight and height measurements of more than 220m people from roughly 190 countries. They found that obesity rates have doubled among adults since 1990 and quadrupled among children and adolescents. Our map below shows which countries have the highest rates.
Source: NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, Feb 2024 *Aged 18 and over with a BMI equal to or greater than 30
Obesity is typically determined by the ratio of weight (in kg) to the square of height (in metres), known as the body-mass index (BMI). In this study a BMI above 30 is considered obese. The measure is imperfect (most bodybuilders, for example, would be classified as obese because of the weight of their muscles, despite having very little body fat). But it is a useful rule of thumb. Studies have shown that most people with a BMI over 30 are significantly more likely to suffer from conditions like diabetes than those with a BMI of 23. Higher BMI is also known to increase the risk of more than a dozen types of cancer. In these and other ways, obesity is thought to kill around 4m people each year. The analysis finds higher obesity rates in low- and middle-income countries than in many high-income ones. More than 60% of adults in Polynesia and Micronesia were living with obesity in 2022—the highest rate in the world. This is likely to be a result of changing diets and a culture that puts a value on size. Tonga had the highest rate for women (81% were considered obese); American Samoa had the highest for men (70%). Countries in Africa and the Middle East, historically associated with undernourishment, are now also struggling with weight gain.
Turkey was the obesity capital of Europe for women, with a rate of 43%. For men it was Romania, at 38%. French women and men were the most slender in the region—only 10% were considered obese. The rates were four times higher in America, where 44% of women and 42% of men had a BMI over 30.
Global obesity rates now significantly exceed the share of adults who are underweight (a BMI under 18.5). The number is creeping up for children and adolescents, too. The study found that obese children outnumbered underweight ones in two-thirds of the countries studied. In rich countries childhood obesity is concentrated in poor families. But in poor countries it is a middle-class problem—so as average incomes rise, more children are moving into the overweight category. Many poor countries are now facing a “double epidemic” of malnutrition and obesity.
That so many people are struggling with their weight shows that obesity is more than a matter of dietary willpower. The human body has evolved to survive winters and famines: it is designed to cling on to body weight and will resist efforts to lose it. A superabundance of cheap, ultra-processed foods has also triggered overeating just as lifestyles have become more sedentary. Weight-loss drugs are starting to arrive, but remain prohibitively expensive for most. With time they may start to help countries nibble away at their obesity problems. But reversing these trends will require preventing more children and adults from getting fat in the first place. That will need intervention from governments—which both politicians and voters will find hard to swallow. ■
I’m proud to be the opposite. In fact, my at my last physical this past summer my doctor scolded me and told me to eat more. I have a physical labor job, and was losing too much weight.
Spokeshave weighing in (no pun intended) at a healthy 24
Obesity, or the lack there of, is one reason I like watching old TV shows. They remind me of what it was actually like growing up where obesity was rare. Yes, there were a few hefty people and some outright fat, but morbid obesity seemed not to exist at all except at circus freak shows.
And most young women prided themselves in having hour glass figures and were graded on bust-waist-hip measurements. Today it’s sad to see some young women whose “waste” measurement exceeds their height measurement, and that is extremely unhealthy.
Remember all those Music Festival Charity events raising money for the poor, starving children of Bangladesh?
It was a very popular social cause for years. George Harrison was associated with one of the more publicized charity. Now, they will need a whole different type of TV commercial to pluck at our heartstrings most effectively.
Sally Struthers spend years “crying” on camera about The Children!
I’m watching the Key West events tonight. Almost 100% of the young women have waist sizes larger than their bust sizes. It is really bad.
Lol! Is that South Park Sally?
I already burned 85 candles, in very good health, zero medical expense. Planning to stay healthy until age 100. Key factors (my opinion) for my good health are (in order of importance)
1. Daily 30 minutes brisk walk with 1 lb weight strapped on each wrist
2. Keep weight under 160 lbs on 5’-8” frame
3. Diet has more veggies & fruits, then eggs, chicken, fish, pork, beef none more than 6oz in one meal. Only grains I eat are whole grain bread. Try to cook from scratch but can’t resist slice of Homerun Inn pizza occasionally.
4. No smoking
5. Limit 1 alcoholic drink in any one week.
Take no supplemental items execept 1 D vitamin 5000 IU, 1 80:mg low dose aspirin.0
Key West, Florida? Are you watching it in Key West live? Or on TV.
Growing up watching “The Honeymooners” Ralph Kramden was the butt of many a joke for being the fat man. I was struck, recently, watching a clip of the old program, he would barely rate on the fat spectrum, of the modern era.
Keep weight under 160 lbs on 5’-8” frame
........
I’m the same height.
I can get down to 160. But that’s about it.
Right now I’m about 170. Just came off of a 60 hour fast.
I have a hard time falling asleep on the third night of a fast.
Youtube. Sloppy Joe's webcam #1
i gotta see this.
yeah a lot of the people are pretty heavy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVSeIeH8d1Q
but you see that all over.
well the richer places have more slim people. the fat is a marker for lower income.
BMI is currently 19.5. Age 69.
After reaching 65-years old, being physically fit has more status than any luxury vehicle.
https://liveduvalstreet.com/
We did a RON on Halloween night in the 80's. My pilot told us we gotta see this. Believe me, dress standards were much looser then. Lots of body paint and only body paint.
Should obese people get SNAP benefits? Asking for a friend...
Do not fast. That is risky on many levels.
Instead try skipping breakfast, eat lunch around 11 am an dinner around 5 pm. Cut down on carbs from wheat & rice. If you chew each bite 30 times, you will feel full sooner and can stop eating more. Put away leftovers for next day.
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