10 Countries with the Highest Obesity Prevalence in the World

Obesity is a condition of excessive fat accumulation in the body. According to the Ministry of Health, this condition occurs because the body receives more energy intake than it uses over a long period.

Besides causing excess weight, obesity can also trigger various health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Based on data compiled by the World Population Review, the number of obese people worldwide has increased almost threefold since 1975, with 13% of adults experiencing obesity and about 39% of adults being overweight.

"Obesity rates vary widely across countries due to differing lifestyles and dietary patterns," wrote the World Population Review in its report.

The World Population Review also notes that there is no direct correlation between a country's obesity rate and its economic status.

However, wealthier countries tend to have more resources to create educational programs and campaigns related to obesity prevention through healthy eating habits.

So, which countries in the world have the highest prevalence of obesity?

Nauru, a small island nation in Micronesia, Central Pacific, is recorded as the country with the highest global obesity prevalence at 61%, with a population of 12,700.

Next are the Cook Islands and Palau with obesity prevalence rates of 55.9% and 55.3%, respectively.

Here is a complete list of the 10 countries with the highest obesity prevalence in the world as of 2023, according to the World Population Review:

1. Nauru: 61% with a population of 12,774
2. Cook Islands: 55.9% with a population of 17,042
3. Palau: 55.3% with a population of 18,508
4. Marshall Islands: 52.9% with a population of 41,972
5. Tuvalu: 51.6% with a population of 11,391
6. Niue: 50% with a population of 1,935
7. Tonga: 48.2% with a population of 107,721
8. Samoa: 47.3% with a population of 225,492
9. Kiribati: 46% with a population of 133,385
10. Micronesia: 43.8% with a population of 115,162

The United States, a country known for its high-carbohydrate and high-fat diet, ranks 12th with an obesity prevalence of 36.2%.

Indonesia ranks 18th out of 104 countries listed. Indonesia's obesity prevalence reaches 6.9% of a total population of 277.53 million.