The global obesity epidemic has been a contentious issue worldwide, so let’s go over the world’s most obese countries. Obesity is a precursor to a long list of debilitating medical conditions and stems from unhealthy lifestyle choices, in this instance, followed by a large community of people.
The countries rated the top five prevalent for Obesity are Nauru, Cook Islands, Palau, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu.
Obesity occurs in every race, culture, gender or age. Because its effects do not discriminate, Obesity is very dangerous. The epidemic targets underdeveloped and developed countries – a global problem that is affecting hundreds of millions of people – nearly every second adult in the world is obese.
What Is Obesity?
Obesity is a complex disease – it involves the excessive accumulation of body fat, Healthline explains. Obesity isn’t about appearance, though – as many assume. People who suffer from obesity are at higher risk of other diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also increases the risk of cancer.
Body mass index (BMI) is the most common method used to diagnose obesity. Calculate BMI by multiplying weight in pounds by 703, divide by height in inches and then divide again by height in inches. If you use the metric system, divide weight in kilograms by height in meters squared, Mayo Clinic explains.
Obesity isn’t the result of gluttony or laziness either. People struggle to lose weight for a variety of reasons. Usually, obesity results from inherited physiological and environmental factors. When combined with poor dietary choices and a sedentary lifestyle, this is a recipe for disaster.
How To Combat Obesity
A healthier diet, increased physical activity, and behaviour changes can help you lose weight. Prescription medications and weight-loss procedures are additional options for treating Obesity.
The main reason for Obesity is the consumption of more calories you can burn. Fatty foods and fast food are the reason for the increase in Obesity among people because they are high in fat and sugar. The more bad fats you consume, the more calories you gain.
The global epidemic is a leading cause of preventable death. According to World Population Review, Obesity dramatically decreases your overall quality of life and life expectancy.
Another cause of Obesity is living a more inactive lifestyle. Trains, planes and cars were once distant memories, and you would walk or cycle more. These ‘luxurious advancements’ do not allow you to burn sufficient calories. Instead, you gain a lot more weight.
Risking Your Life
Because of Obesity, your chances for diabetes, heart disease and different types of cancer are higher. Additional health risks, extended from diabetes, include osteoarthritis, sleep apnoea, kidney disease, strokes and high blood pressure. Obese pregnant women may suffer from more complications during their trimesters and potential health issues for you and your baby.
To stress how serious the obesity epidemic is getting, here is a list of the top five most obese countries in the world:
Nauru
The Republic of Nauru suffers majorly from Obesity. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 94.5% of Nauruans are overweight or obese.
The obesity rate in Nauru is 71.7%. Currently, the average body weight among Nauruans is 100kg. Because of the sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet, Nauruans have been labelled to have the ‘worst health conditions in the Pacific region’ since 1980.
Historically, the only food sources Nauruans had were fishing and gardening, resulting in a diet of marine fish, fruits, root vegetables and coconuts. However, when they became independent in 1968, garnered profits were distributed to the citizens. There was an outflux of citizen labour—importing western food reduced fishing and gardening, depleted mineral gain and an economic downturn in Nauru.
Cook Islands
The beautiful Pacific Islands are also home to nine of the top 10 countries in the world. The Cook Islands has one of the region’s highest rates – ranging from 35% to 50%.
Research shows that 61.4% of adult Cook Islanders are obese, and one in five children are estimated to be obese too. Like Nauru, the change in diet is the primary cause of Obesity in the Cook Islands. The imported foods are high in salt and fat content, leaving high rates of Obesity and problems the type 2 diabetes to worsen in the Pacific Islands.
If the diabetes problem keeps growing, there will be more work and costs for the islands’ Ministry of Health and its community.
Palau
Palau was once known as the world’s fattest country, with the highest proportion of obese people. Currently, more women in Palau are living with Obesity compared to men.
The country is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean with over 500 islands and a population of over 20 000. Studies show that four out of five citizens in Palau are overweight.
Palau fits in the same bracket as the Cook Islands and Nauru because the main reasons for their obesity problem are following a more western diet and being less active.
Marshall Islands
Obesity in the Marshall Islands is slightly more common in women than men. Type 2 diabetes is also prevalent in the country and is the highest in the world. The rapid rise of type 2 diabetes in the Marshall Islands is due to the reliance on imported refined foods packed with salt, sugar and fat.
The children in the Marshall Islands are not far behind from being labelled obese. The schools offer a food spread that doesn’t include fresh vegetables or produce. The children are more likely to eat popsicles and drink sweet beverages and varieties of meat.
Tuvalu
Obesity is a huge health issue in Tuvalu – 65% of the men and 71% of the women are overweight. Ten years ago, the birth rate in Tuvalu was estimated at 23 per 1000 people. There was also a life expectancy of 65.
Tuvalu’s race to Obesity can be attributed to risky life choices, including poor nutrition, physical idleness and tobacco usage.
Trouble In Paradise
For people who vacation in the Pacific Islands, it is easy not to get affected by the reality that residents face – a life of imported food, minimal exercise and remote access to healthcare.
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