List of Top 10 Most Obese Countries

Obesity is a global health problem that is affecting people of all ages. It is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Obesity is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of obesity has tripled since 1975. In 2016, over 1.9 billion adults were overweight and out of them 650 million people were obese. 

What Is Obesity and Overweight? 

WHO describes these terms as "Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2)."

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight and obesity for adults as follows:

• Overweight: A body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater
• Obesity: A BMI of 30 or greater

BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It provides a general indication of whether a person's weight is healthy for their height. However, it is important to note that BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and may not be accurate for all individuals. For example, athletes and people with very muscular builds may have a high BMI even though they are not overweight or obese.

Which are the Most Obese Countries in the World in 2023?

According to the World Population Review, here are the top 10 most obese countries in the world: 

Source: World Population Review

The obesity levels are determined by Body-Mass-Index (BMI). National obesity rates can be determined by analysing either the average BMI (Body Mass Index) of its citizens or the proportion of citizens classified as obese based on their BMI. While both methods provide valuable insights into a country's overall obesity prevalence, they yield slightly different results.

Nauru holds the top spot in this list having 59.85% of the adult male population as obese. 

1. Nauru (61.0%)

Source: Britannica

Nauru is a small island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is the world's smallest republic, with a population of 12,511 people. Nauru is one of the most obese countries in the world, with an adult obesity rate of 61.0%. The place has gained the top spot due to alarmingly reliance on processed food from Western countries. This dependence has led to a severe decline in the availability of fresh produce, making it difficult for residents to access nutritious, traditional foods. According to the Financial Express, Anthropologist Amy McLennan from the University of Oxford, who spent 11 months on Nauru, observed that finding even a single vegetable in a week was a matter of luck. This lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables has contributed to a rise in obesity and other diet-related health problems among the Nauruan population.

2. Cook Islands (55.9%)

Source: Luxurious Magazine

The Cook Islands are a self-governing territory in association with New Zealand. They are located in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand. The Cook Islands have an adult obesity rate of 55.9%.  According to Oxford University, the major cause of obesity in the Cook Islands is because of colonisation between 1888 and 1965. People in the Cook Islands were taught  "proper" food habits as part of colonial efforts to "civilise" Pacific Islanders played a significant role in the erosion of traditional food practices and the subsequent rise in obesity rates. 

3. Palau (55.3%) 

Source: Expedia

Palau is an island country located in the southwest corner of Micronesia. It is composed of over 300 islands, with a population of just over 18,000 people. Palau has an adult obesity rate of 55.3%. This is due to a number of factors, including a diet that is high in fat and sugar, and a lack of physical activity.

4. Marshall Islands (52.9%)

Source: Smithsonian Institution

The Marshall Islands are an independent republic located in the central Pacific Ocean. They are composed of 29 atolls and five islands, with a population of just over 58,000 people. The Marshall Islands have an adult obesity rate of 52.9%. Palau's food supply is heavily reliant on imports from the United States. This means that the availability and affordability of processed foods, often high in sugar, fat, and calories, are significantly higher than those of fresh, local produce.

This reliance on imported food can be attributed to several factors, including limited agricultural land, a small population, and the high cost of transportation within the area. As a result, many Palauans find it easier and more affordable to access processed foods, contributing to a shift away from traditional diets rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish. Another reason is Palau's vast geographical spread which poses logistical challenges in distributing healthy food across the islands. The limited infrastructure and high transportation costs make it difficult to transport fresh produce from the few areas where it is grown to the more populated islands.

5. Tuvalu (51.6%)

Source: BBC

Tuvalu is an independent island country located in the west-central Pacific Ocean. It is composed of six true atolls and islands, with a population of just over 11,000 people. Tuvalu has an adult obesity rate of 51.6%. According to the National Institutes of Health, "The driving forces of obesity in Tuvalu come from individual factors (attitude and behaviours), structural factors (such as income) and food insecurity that prompt the consumption of high-calorie imported food. Although strategies like dietary modification and exercise are encouraged to prevent obesity, they are difficult to be habitualised."

6. Niue (50%)

Source: Stuff.co.nz

Niue is an independent island country located in Polynesia. It has a population of 1,935 people. Niue has an adult obesity rate of 50%. The major reason behind the staggering rate is the lack of fresh food and the reliability of imports.

7. Tonga (48.2%)

Source: Freedom House

Tonga is an independent kingdom located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is composed of 171 islands, with a population of just over 1,00,000 people. Tonga has an adult obesity rate of 48.2%. According to BBC, "Some scientists believe Tonga's problem is partly down to genetics - that Pacific islanders in the past had to survive long periods without food so their bodies are programmed to cling on to fats."

8. Samoa (47.3%)

Source: Tripadvisor

Samoa is an independent country located in the central South Pacific Ocean. It is composed of two main islands, Upolu and Savai'i, and nine smaller islands, with a population of 2,19,000 people. Samoa has an adult obesity rate of 47.3%. According to Science Direct, modernisation has brought about significant changes to Samoan society, including a shift towards a westernised lifestyle. Unfortunately, this shift has also been accompanied by a rise in obesity and adiposity (excessive fat accumulation), particularly among adult Samoans. This alarming trend has led to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in Samoa.

9. Kiribati (46.0%)

Source: World Nomads

Kiribati is an independent republic located in the central Pacific Ocean. It is composed of 32 atolls, with a population of  1,29,000 people. Kiribati has an adult obesity rate of 46.0%. The heavy reliance on imported processed foods, a shift away from traditional diets rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish, and a decline in physical activity levels are major contributors to the rise in obesity in Kiribati. While U.S. development aid has supported various nutrition initiatives, these efforts have not been successful in reversing the obesity trend.

10. Micronesia (45.8%)

Source: Planetofhotels.com

Micronesia is a federal republic located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is composed of four states: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap, with a population of 1,13,000 people. Micronesia has an adult obesity rate of 45.8%. The major cause of obesity in Micronesia is the influx of imported processed foods, often from Western countries, which has played a major role in nutrient transmission. These foods, often highly marketed and readily available, have become staples in many Micronesian households, replacing traditional foods that were typically lower in calories and more nutrient-dense.