Obesity is a preventable, though worsening, health problem in the world. People who are obese have a body mass index of 30% and above. For some countries more than others, obesity is considered a serious health problem.
To compile a list with the countries where the most people think obesity is the biggest health problem facing people in their country, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from Statista. A survey was conducted in 2022 in 34 countries, including more than 23,500 people. The original question they had to answer was: “Thinking generally, which of the following, if any, do you see as the biggest health problems facing people in your country today?”
Conditions linked to obesity include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. From 1999-2000 to 2017-March 2020, U.S. obesity prevalence climbed to 41.9% from 30.5%. Severe obesity, those with a body mass index of 40 or above, soared to 9.2% from 4.7% over the same period.
Based on our list, those surveyed in four of the most populous countries in the world — China, India, Brazil, and Indonesia — are less concerned about obesity than the global average of 22%. Less populous nations such as Belgium, Spain, and Argentina are more concerned about obesity and are above the global average. Of the 10 countries more concerned about the health issue, only Mexico has a population topping 100 million. As for the United States, 23% of those surveyed believe obesity is a health concern.
There are 14 European nations among the 34 countries on our list, more than any other continent. Asia is represented by 10 countries, including China and India, the world’s most populous nations. (In the U.S., these are the most obese states.)
There is a price to be paid for a nation that’s overweight. Among adults, obesity was associated with $1,861 in excess annual medical costs per person in 2019, or $172.74 billion, according to a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Because it is treatable and preventable, weight loss can advance a person’s life. Losing 5% to 15% of total weight can improve weight-related health issues such as heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and asthma. A loss in weight can reduce knee pain and enhance joint function.
34. Japan
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 5%
- Total population: 125.1 million
33. Indonesia
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 6%
- Total population: 275.5 million
32. South Africa
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 9%
- Total population: 59.9 million
31. India
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 10%
- Total population: 1.4 billion million
30. Thailand
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 11%
- Total population: 71.7 million
29. Italy
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 13%
- Total population: 58.9 million
28. Brazil
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 15%
- Total population: 215.3 million
27. South Korea
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 15%
- Total population: 51.6 million
26. Switzerland
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 16%
- Total population: 8.8 million
25. Canada
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 17%
- Total population: 38.9 million
24. Germany
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 18%
- Total population: 84 million
23. Australia
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 19%
- Total population: 26 million
22. China
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 19%
- Total population: 1.4 billion million
21. Turkey
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 20%
- Total population: 85 million
20. Colombia
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 20%
- Total population: 51.9 million
19. United Arab Emirates
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 22%
- Total population: 9.4 million
18. Hungary
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 22%
- Total population: 9.6 million
17. Saudi Arabia
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 22%
- Total population: 36.4 million
16. Ireland
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 23%
- Total population: 5.1 million
15. France
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 23%
- Total population: 68 million
14. United States
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 23%
- Total population: 333.3 million
13. Spain
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 23%
- Total population: 47.8 million
12. Belgium
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 24%
- Total population: 11.7 million
11. Poland
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 25%
- Total population: 36.8 million
10. Peru
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 25%
- Total population: 34.1 million
9. Argentina
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 25%
- Total population: 46.2 million
8. Sweden
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 25%
- Total population: 10.5 million
7. Romania
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 26%
- Total population: 19.1 million
6. Malaysia
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 27%
- Total population: 33.9 million
5. Netherlands
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 28%
- Total population: 17.7 million
4. Great Britain
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 29%
- Total population: 67.3 million
3. Portugal
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 35%
- Total population: 10.4 million
2. Chile
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 38%
- Total population: 19.6 million
1. Mexico
- People who think obesity is the biggest public health crisis: 55%
- Total population: 127.5 million
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