Why is Vietnam the least obese country

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Vietnam among countries with lowest obesity rate: Global study

Hanoi (VNA)

Vietnam

and Bangladesh are the two countrieswith the lowest adult obesity rate at 1 percent, according to the latest globalstudy released on June 12.

The study also unveiled the highest level of obesity among children and youngadults was in the United States at nearly 13 percent while Egypt topped thelist for adult obesity at about 35 percent.

China and India had the most alarming number of obese children with 15.3million and 14.4 million, respectively. Meanwhile, the US with 79.4 million hadthe largest adult obesity figure, followed by China with 57.3 million.

Conducted in 195 countries and territories over a 35 year-period, the research showed that more than 2billion adults and children, or one third of the worlds population, are nowoverweight or obese.

It found that the number of obese people has doubled since 1980 in 70 countriesand continuously increased in most other nations.

In 2015, some 2.2 billion children and adults worldwide were

overweight

, ofwhich 108 million children and over 600 million adults being obese, said thestudy, adding that the rate of increase in childhood obesity was greater thanthat of adults.

The same year, four million deaths worldwide attributed to excess body weight,according to the research.

The findings represent a growing and spreading a global public healthcrisis, triggering many problems, because obesity leads to risks of cardiovascular disease,diabetes, cancer, and other life-threatening conditions, said the researchsauthors.

The results of the study are based on data from the most recent Global Burdenof Disease study to quantify the magnitude of health loss from all majordiseases, injuries, and risk factors by age, sex, and population. - VNA

List of countries by obesity rate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2023)

This is a list of countries ranked by the proportion of the population that is obese. The data, barring the United States, is derived from The World Factbook authored by the Central Intelligence Agency,^[1] which gives the adult prevalence rate for obesity, defined as "the percent of a country's population considered to be obese". Data for U.S. obesity prevalence is derived from CDC data, recorded through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in March 2017 2020.^[2]

Related[edit]

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Countries By Obesity

Like malnutrition and underweight, obesity is a global health problem and one of the leading causes of health complications. The majority of the global population lives in countries where obesity and overweight kill more than malnutrition and underweight. Since 1975, the number of obese globally has almost tripled as per the WHO report. In 2016, over 650 million adults, 18 years or older were obese. In 2019, 38 million children below the age of five were either obese or overweight.

What Is Obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition resulting from an accumulation of excess fat in the body. When one takes in more calories than they burn by normal daily activities or exercise, the excess calories accumulate in the body, leading to obesity. However, people are only described as obese if their body mass index (BMI) is over 30. People with a BMI of 25-30 are described as overweight. The excess fat in the body exposes one to serious health problems and diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, and certain cancers.

Regional Differences In Obesity

Obesity is responsible for close to 5 million deaths annually, or 8% of the global deaths (2017), representing a 3.5% increase from 4.5% in 1990. However, the proportion varies across different continents. In 2017, over 15% of the deaths were attributed to obesity across North Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Central Asia because of its high prevalence.

Oceania is the worlds most obese region, with 8 of the top ten most obese countries globally located in the region. In the eight Oceania countries, obesity is so prevalent that more than 45% of the population is above the red line. The high rate of obesity in the region is attributed to a sedentary lifestyle and cultural factors, such as lack of proper public education on health and diet.

Most of the least obese countries are located in South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa regions. In most of these countries, less than 10% of the adults are obese. The obesity rate is particularly lower in low and middle-income countries where malnutrition and access to food remain a major challenge. However, in some high-income countries like Singapore and South Korea, specific policy interventions are bearing fruits. For instance, South Korea allocates a budget to support obesity programs and nutritional management in schools.

10 Most Obese Countries

Nauru, an island country in the Oceania region, is the worlds most obese country, with 61% of the adult population suffering from obesity. The country has an average BMI of 34-35. Additionally, up to 83% of Nauruan are overweight. Importation of large quantities of Western foods, lack of physical exercise, cultural preference for overweight and obesity, and lack of proper health education are some of contributing factors to the countrys high obesity rate.

55.3% of Palaus adult population are obese, making Palau the worlds second-most obese country. The countrys obesity prevalence is higher for both men and women than the regional average. 58.8% and 51.8% of adult women and men respectively are obese. A sedentary lifestyle and inadequate health education and diet are the main contributing factors to Palau's high obesity rate.

Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Tonga complete the list of the five most obese countries. In the Marshall Islands, 52.9% of the adult population are obese, while in Tuvalu and Tonga, the proportion of the obese is 51.6% and 48.2% respectively. The diets of these three island countries comprise mainly imported processed food rich in high sugar. Besides, most of these Island countries do not provide proper education on health and diet, nor highlight the need for physical exercise. The other three Oceania countries with a high proportion of the obese population are Samoa (47.3%), Kiribati (46%), and the Federal State of Micronesia (45.8%).

Kuwait is Asias fattest country and the worlds 9th most obese country, with 37.9% of its population suffering from obesity. The risk of obesity in the country results from a sedentary lifestyle and overeating high-fat, energy-dense foods. The United States is the most obese country in the Americas and the worlds 10th fattest, with 36.2% of its population having a BMI of over 30. Lack of physical exercise is a major contributing factor to the countrys obesity epidemic. High caloric intake is also linked to a high obesity rate.

10 Least Obese Countries

Vietnam is the least obese country, with only 2.1% of the adult population suffering from obesity. The countrys low ranking is a result of a combination of socioeconomic and cultural factors. Vietnamese mainly feed on local cuisine, which is mostly organic, with a lower level of oil. However, economic factors, such as long working hours and malnutrition, also contribute to the low ranking.

Bangladesh is the second-skinniest country, with obesity affecting only 3.6% of its adult population. However, the prevalence of obesity in the country is much higher in women than men. It is also one of the countries struggling with underweight and obesity, especially among adolescent children. Like Vietnamese, the Bangladeshi population depends on local cuisine, which is much healthier than imported, processed food. The population, especially men, are also more active.

3.8% of East Timors adult population are suffering from obesity, making it the third-least obese country. The country has a serious food deficit, with 27% of its residents suffering from food deprivation. Therefore, East Timors lower-ranking results from lack of access to food and not better-eating habits.

India, the worlds second-most populous country, has one of the lowest obesity rates, with only 3.9% of its adult population suffering from obesity. Most parts of the country are recovering from malnutrition and lack of access to food. Also, genetic factors are responsible for the countrys skinniness. However, India is slowly becoming more obese due to the rising middle class and unhealthy eating habits.

Cambodia, Nepal, Japan, and South Korea are the other four Asian countries on the list of ten least obese countries. In Cambodia, 3.9% of the adults are obese, while the proportions in Nepal and Japan are 4.1% and 4.3% respectively. In South Korea, 4.7% of the adult population is obese. About 80 of Cambodias population live in rural areas, where agriculture is the main economic activity. Therefore, the majority depend on food from the farm, which is much healthier than processed, high-sugar food. In Nepal, the lower ranking result from challenges in accessing food, especially for those living in remote areas.

Japanese are some of the world's healthiest people. An average adult consumes about 200 fewer calories than an American. Their traditional food also features less meat, more fish, and plenty of vegetables. They are also more active, which helps them in reducing the risk of becoming obese. South Korea also practices healthy eating habits, with its diet receiving considerable attention. Besides diet, Koreans have also invested in proper health education and supports local government in their obesity programs. The government also ensures that school diets and nutritious and healthy.

Ethiopia and Eritrea are the least obese countries in Africa. Only about 4.5% of adult Ethiopians are suffering from obesity, making it the worlds 8th least obese country. In Eritrea, only 5% of the adult population are obese. Eritrea and Ethiopia are some of the countries in Africa struggling with malnutrition and underweight. Undernutrition remains prevalent, especially in rural areas, where the majority live, due to the burden of famine.

Measuring Obesity

World Obesity Day is celebrated every year on March 4 to raise awareness about the need to curb obesity for a healthier living. Image credit: World Obesity Federation, Wikimedia Commons

BMI is the most common matrix for assessing obesity in adults. It is also used to classify individuals as overweight or underweight. BMI is calculated by diving an individuals weight (kg) by the square of his height. For instance, a person weighing 65 kilos and is 1.5 meters tall will have a BMI of 28.9, meaning they are overweight but not obese.

An individual with a BMI of over 30 is considered obese. Therefore, 51 countries are considered either overweight or obese because they have a BMI of at least 25. Of the 51 countries, 22 are obese. 75 countries are underweight (BMI less than 18.5), while 64 countries are considered healthy, with a BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9.

Rank	Country	% of population that is obese
1	Nauru	61
2	Palau	55.3
3	Marshall Islands	52.9
4	Tuvalu	51.6
5	Tonga	48.2
6	Samoa	47.3
7	Kiribati	46
8	Federated States Of Micronesia	45.8
9	Kuwait	37.9
10	United States	36.2
11	Jordan	35.5
12	Saudi Arabia	35.4
13	Qatar	35.1
14	Libya	32.5
15	Turkey	32.1
16	Egypt	32
17	Lebanon	32
18	United Arab Emirates	31.7
19	The Bahamas	31.6
20	New Zealand	30.8
21	Iraq	30.4
22	Fiji	30.2
23	Bahrain	29.8
24	Canada	29.4
25	Australia	29
26	Malta	28.9
27	Mexico	28.9
28	Argentina	28.3
29	South Africa	28.3
30	Chile	28
31	Dominica	27.9
32	Uruguay	27.9
33	Syria	27.8
34	United Kingdom	27.8
35	Dominican Republic	27.6
36	Algeria	27.4
37	Oman	27
38	Tunisia	26.9
39	Hungary	26.4
40	Suriname	26.4
41	Lithuania	26.3
42	Israel	26.1
43	Morocco	26.1
44	Czechia	26
45	Iran	25.8
46	Costa Rica	25.7
47	Andorra	25.6
48	Venezuela	25.6
49	Ireland	25.3
50	Vanuatu	25.2
51	Bulgaria	25
52	Greece	24.9
53	Jamaica	24.7
54	Cuba	24.6
55	El Salvador	24.6
56	Belarus	24.5
57	Croatia	24.4
58	Belize	24.1
59	Ukraine	24.1
60	Spain	23.8
61	Nicaragua	23.7
62	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	23.7
63	Latvia	23.6
64	Montenegro	23.3
65	Barbados	23.1
66	Norway	23.1
67	Poland	23.1
68	Russia	23.1
69	Saint Kitts and Nevis	22.9
70	Haiti	22.7
71	Panama	22.7
72	Luxembourg	22.6
73	Romania	22.5
74	Solomon Islands	22.5
75	Colombia	22.3
76	Germany	22.3
78	Finland	22.2
79	Belgium	22.1
80	Brazil	22.1
81	Iceland	21.9
82	Cyprus	21.8
83	Albania	21.7
84	Georgia	21.7
85	France	21.6
86	Serbia	21.5
87	Honduras	21.4
88	Grenada	21.3
89	Papua New Guinea	21.3
90	Estonia	21.2
91	Guatemala	21.2
92	Kazakhstan	21
93	Portugal	20.8
94	Mongolia	20.6
95	Sweden	20.6
96	Slovakia	20.5
97	Netherlands	20.4
98	Paraguay	20.3
99	Armenia	20.2
100	Bolivia	20.2
101	Guyana	20.2
102	Slovenia	20.2
103	Austria	20.1
104	Azerbaijan	19.9
105	Ecuador	19.9
106	Italy	19.9
107	Denmark	19.7
108	Peru	19.7
109	Saint Lucia	19.7
110	Switzerland	19.5
111	Antigua and Barbuda	18.9
112	Botswana	18.9
113	Moldova	18.9
114	Trinidad and Tobago	18.6
115	Turkmenistan	18.6
116	Bosnia and Herzegovina	17.9
117	Namibia	17.2
118	Yemen	17.1
119	Kyrgyzstan	16.6
120	Lesotho	16.6
121	Uzbekistan	16.6
122	Eswatini	16.5
123	Malaysia	15.6
124	Zimbabwe	15.5
125	Gabon	15
126	Tajikistan	14.2
127	Brunei	14.1
128	Seychelles	14
129	Djibouti	13.5
130	Mauritania	12.7
131	Sao Tome and Principe	12.4
132	Cabo Verde	11.8
133	Cameroon	11.4
134	Ghana	10.9
135	Mauritius	10.8
136	Cote d'Ivoire	10.3
137	Gambia, The	10.3
138	Thailand	10
139	Liberia	9.9
140	Benin	9.6
141	Republic Of The Congo	9.6
142	Guinea-Bissau	9.5
143	Nigeria	8.9
144	Senegal	8.8
145	Sierra Leone	8.7
146	Maldives	8.6
147	Mali	8.6
148	Pakistan	8.6
149	Tanzania	8.4
150	Togo	8.4
151	Somalia	8.3
152	Angola	8.2
153	Zambia	8.1
154	Equatorial Guinea	8
155	Comoros	7.8
156	Guinea	7.7
157	Central African Republic	7.5
158	Mozambique	7.2
159	Kenya	7.1
160	Indonesia	6.9
161	North Korea	6.8
162	Democratic Republic Of The Congo	6.7
163	South Sudan	6.6
164	Sudan	6.6
165	Bhutan	6.4
166	Philippines	6.4
167	China	6.2
168	Chad	6.1
169	Singapore	6.1
170	Burma	5.8
171	Malawi	5.8
172	Rwanda	5.8
173	Burkina Faso	5.6
174	Afghanistan	5.5
175	Niger	5.5
176	Burundi	5.4
177	Laos	5.3
178	Madagascar	5.3
179	Uganda	5.3
180	Sri Lanka	5.2
181	Eritrea	5
182	South Korea	4.7
183	Ethiopia	4.5
184	Japan	4.3
185	Nepal	4.1
186	Cambodia	3.9
187	India	3.9
188	Timor-Leste	3.8
189	Bangladesh	3.6
190	Vietnam	2.1
191	Palestine	Data not available
192	Liechtenstein	Data not available
193	Monaco	Data not available
194	San Marino	Data not available
195	Vatican City	Data not available