We previously told you about the most obese cities in America. But where does America stand globally? According to the World Health Organization, the following countries have the highest rates of obesity.
1. Republic of Nauru
Formerly known as Pleasant Island, this tiny island country in the South Pacific only has a population of 9,300. The country has the highest rate of obesity in the world with 78.5 percent of the population categorized as such. Unsurprisingly, they also have the highest levels of type-2 diabetes in the world.
2. American Samoa
Another South Pacific island, Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the U.S. With a population of 55,519, according to the latest U.S. census, 74.6 percent of its citizens are obese.
3. Tokelau
Yet another South Pacific Island, Tokelau is a New Zealand territory with less than 2,000 inhabitants. It's the fourth least populace country in the world, but 63.4 percent of the population is obese.
4. Tonga
Fourth on our list is yet another island in the southern Pacific Ocean. Tonga is a sovereign state in Polynesia that gained its independence from the British in 1970. They are the largest nation by population so far on the list with over 103,000, over half of which are obese-56 percent.
5. French Polynesia
Seventeen hundred miles away from Tonga is French Polynesia, comprising of around 130 islands, including Tahiti. French Polynesia is an overseas country of France, but the president of French Polynesia maintains position as head of government. They have a population of 268,000 and an obesity rate of 40.9 percent.
6. Republic of Kiribati
Number six on the list is another island nation, though this one is in the central Pacific Ocean and straddles the equator. With a population of 103,500, Kiribati has an obesity rate of 50.6 percent.
7. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the first country on the list that is not an island. The world's largest oil exporter has a population of just under 30 million. Their obesity rate is 35.6 percent, meaning over 10 million Saudis are obese.
8. Panama
This Central American nation is home to 3.6 million, a world-famous canal and an obesity rate of 34.7 percent.
9. United States of America
Coming in at ninth place, America has an obesity rate of 33.9 percent, according to the WHO. The rate has been steady since 2005, but has grown exponentially since the late '90s, when the rate fluctuated between 16 and 20 percent. With a population of 313 million, the 33.9 percent rate translates into over 106 million obese Americans.
10. United Arab Emirates
Rounding out the top 10, the United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The country has a population of five and half million and an obesity rate of 33.7 percent.
Photo: American Samoa / Wikipedia / Kronocide
1. Republic of Nauru
Formerly known as Pleasant Island, this tiny island country in the South Pacific only has a population of 9,300. The country has the highest rate of obesity in the world with 78.5 percent of the population categorized as such. Unsurprisingly, they also have the highest levels of type-2 diabetes in the world.
2. American Samoa
Another South Pacific island, Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the U.S. With a population of 55,519, according to the latest U.S. census, 74.6 percent of its citizens are obese.
3. Tokelau
Yet another South Pacific Island, Tokelau is a New Zealand territory with less than 2,000 inhabitants. It's the fourth least populace country in the world, but 63.4 percent of the population is obese.
4. Tonga
Fourth on our list is yet another island in the southern Pacific Ocean. Tonga is a sovereign state in Polynesia that gained its independence from the British in 1970. They are the largest nation by population so far on the list with over 103,000, over half of which are obese-56 percent.
5. French Polynesia
Seventeen hundred miles away from Tonga is French Polynesia, comprising of around 130 islands, including Tahiti. French Polynesia is an overseas country of France, but the president of French Polynesia maintains position as head of government. They have a population of 268,000 and an obesity rate of 40.9 percent.
6. Republic of Kiribati
Number six on the list is another island nation, though this one is in the central Pacific Ocean and straddles the equator. With a population of 103,500, Kiribati has an obesity rate of 50.6 percent.
7. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the first country on the list that is not an island. The world's largest oil exporter has a population of just under 30 million. Their obesity rate is 35.6 percent, meaning over 10 million Saudis are obese.
8. Panama
This Central American nation is home to 3.6 million, a world-famous canal and an obesity rate of 34.7 percent.
9. United States of America
Coming in at ninth place, America has an obesity rate of 33.9 percent, according to the WHO. The rate has been steady since 2005, but has grown exponentially since the late '90s, when the rate fluctuated between 16 and 20 percent. With a population of 313 million, the 33.9 percent rate translates into over 106 million obese Americans.
10. United Arab Emirates
Rounding out the top 10, the United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The country has a population of five and half million and an obesity rate of 33.7 percent.
Photo: American Samoa / Wikipedia / Kronocide
