30.6% Of Americans Are Obese, Compared To 3.2% Of Japanese And Koreans

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Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Sports Medicine / Fitness;  Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 11 Sep 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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The USA has the highest percentage of obese people in the world, followed by Mexico 6.4% behind. The top seven countries include the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - all English-speaking countries. The only English-speaking country that finds itself a fair way down is Ireland.

Experts say countries with high and rising obesity rates are so because their people don't do enough exercise and eat the wrong foods. Other factors influence your obesity risk, such as stress, some medications, and not sleeping enough hours each day.

Percentage of People Who Are Obese

1 - United States 30.6%
2 - Mexico 24.2%
3 - United Kingdom 23%
4 - Canada 22.4%
5 - Greece 21.9%
6 - Australia 21.7%
7 - New Zealand 20.9%
8 - Hungary 18.8%
9 - Luxembourg 18.7%
10 - Slovak Republic 15.4%
11 - Czech Republic 14.8%
12 - Finland 14%
13 - Spain 13.1%
14 - Ireland 13%
15 - Germany 12.9%
16 - Portugal 12.8%
17 - Belgium 12.7%
18 - Iceland 12.4%
19 - Turkey 12%
20 - Poland 11.4%
21 - Netherlands 10.9%
22 - Sweden 9.8%
23 - France 9.5%
24 - Denmark 9.5%
25 - Austria 9.1%
26 - Italy 9%
27 - Norway 8.3%
28 - Switzerland 7.7%
29 - Japan 3.2%
30 - Korea 3.2%
SOURCE:
Obesity, percentage of adult population with a BMI>30 kg/m2 (OECD - Excel Spreadsheat)

Nearly all the countries above have one thing in common - the percentage of people who are obese is rising. If we are around in 2050 it will be interesting to see how these figures change.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today