Obesity trends in adults globally
The prevalence of obesity is a major global concern. In high-income countries, the prevalence of obesity is high and continuing to increase. Whilst the prevalence of obesity is comparatively low in many low and middle income countries, rapid increases are occurring in many countries, driven by a shift away from traditional diets towards diets characterised by imported, nutrient-poor processed foods. Some of the highest obesity rates are in Pacific Island countries such as Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu.
Key Evidence
Around the world, obesity prevalence is 11.6% among men and 15.7% among women
Global obesity rates have almost tripled since 1975, while overweight has more than doubled
Obesity rates around the world
A large global database of adult body mass index measurements1 found that global obesity rates increased from 3.0% in 1975 to 11.6% in 2016 for men; and from 6.6% to 15.7% for women. This corresponds to a global increase in the number of adults with obesity from 100 million in 1975 to 671 million in 2016.1
The rapid rise of obesity can be seen in in this animated map.
Some of the highest obesity levels are found in Pacific Island countries such as Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu. Other countries topping the table include six English-speaking nations – the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand – that are home to almost a fifth of people with obesity globally.2
Trends in adult body-mass index in 200 countries
NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD RisC). National adult body mass index data downloads. July 2023]; Available from: ncdrisc.org.
Note: data is age-standardised
A snapshot of overweight and obesity across the developed world
Australia has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the developed world, above the average for countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This graph shows the most recent available prevalence of overweight and obesity for those aged 15 years and older in selected OECD countries, using measured data (not self-reported).3
Obesity trends in high income countries
The prevalence of obesity is increasing throughout the most high income countries and has followed a similar trend in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. This graph shows how population prevalence of obesity has risen in these countries over recent decades for those aged 15 years and older.3
Overweight and obesity trends in the developed world
OECD (2023), Overweight or obese population (indicator). doi: 10.1787/86583552-en (Accessed on 27 July 2023)
Content for this page was written by Melanie Nichols, Deakin University and reviewed by Kathryn Backholer and Gary Sacks, Co-Directors at the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition at Deakin University. For more information about the approach to content on the site please see About | Obesity Evidence Hub.