EUROPE
Obesity is relatively common in Europe,
especially among women and in Southern and Eastern European countries.
Current prevalence data from individual
national studies suggests that the range of obesity prevalence in European
countries is from 10 to 20% for men, and 10 to 25% for women.
Prevalence of obesity has increased by
about 10-40% in the majority of European countries in the past 10 years1.
The most dramatic increase has been in the UK where it has more than doubled
since 19803. There is some evidence however, that this increasing trend
is levelling off among women, at least in some Scandinavian countries.
AFRICA
In contrast to most Western countries,
the emphasis in Africa has been on under-nutrition and food security rather
than overweight and obesity, and so there is little data on current prevalence.
Regional studies however, do indicate
a growing prevalence of overweight and obesity in certain socio-
economic groups. This can be illustrated
by the high prevalence of obesity (44%) found in black women in the Cape
Peninsular of the Republic of South Africa.
Secular Trends of obesity world-wide
(BMI > 30)1
| Country | Year | Age | Men | Women |
| England | 1980 | 16-64 | 6 | 8 |
| 1986/7 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 1991/2 | 13 | 15 | ||
| 1995 | 15 | 16.5 | ||
| East Germany | 1989 | 25-65 | 13 | 21 |
| 1992 | 21 | 27 | ||
| USA | 1973 | 20-74 | 11.6 | 16.1 |
| 1978 | 12.0 | 14.8 | ||
| 1991 | 19.7 | 24.7 | ||
| Brazil | 1975 | 25-64 | 3.1 | 8.2 |
| 1989 | 5.9 | 13.3 | ||
| Japan | 1982 | 20+ | 0.9 | 2.6 |
| 1987 | 1.3 | 2.8 | ||
| 1993 | 1.8 | 2.6 | ||
| China
|
1989 | 20-45 | 0.29 | 0.89 |
| 1991 | 0.36 | 0.86 | ||
| 1992 | 1.20 | 1.64 | ||
| Western Samoa (urban) | 1978 | 25-69 | 38.8 | 59.1 |
| 1991 | 58.4 | 76.8 | ||
| Western Samoa (rura)l | 1978 | 17.7 | 37.0 | |
| 1991 | 41.5 | 59.2 |
THE MIDDLE EAST
The limited data available indicates that
the prevalence of obesity in Middle Eastern countries is high, particularly
in women who appear in general to have a higher prevalence of obesity than
women in most Western countries.
AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Prevalence of obesity in US increased dramatically
in the 1980s, especially among black women for whom 49% were identified
as being overweight with a BMI > 27.3 in 1991.
Obesity is a significant problem in the
Caribbean, particularly in those countries with a higher per capita GNP,
and affects women more than men.
Brazil is the only Latin American country
to have a nationally representative survey conducted in the last 10 years.
The PNSN survey indicated that obesity is prevalent in Brazil and is rising,
especially among lower income groups. The problem of dietary deficit appears
to be rapidly shifting to one of dietary excess.
Obesity prevalence world-wide (BMI > 30)
(IOTF)
| Country | Year | Ages | Men | Women |
| South Africa Cape Peninsular | 1990 | 15-64 | 8 | 44 |
| Ghana | 1987/8 | 20+ | 0.9 | |
| Saudi Arabia | 1990-93 | 15+ | 16 | 24 |
| Urban (Rural) | 18 (12) | 28 (18) | ||
| Kuwait | 1994 | 18+ | 32 | 44 |
| West Germany
|
1991 | 25-69 | 16 | 21 |
| Netherlands | 1994 | 20-59 | 10 | 11 |
| Australia
|
1989 | 20-69 | 9.3 | 11.1 |
| Japan
|
1993 | 20+ | 1.7 | 2.7 |
| Canada
|
1991 | 18-74 | 15 | 15 |
| Czech Republic | 1988 | 20-65 | 16 | 20 |
WESTERN PACIFIC COUNTRIES AND CHINA
In Japan, obesity in men has doubled since
1982, whereas its rise in women has been restricted to the younger age
group (20-29 years) for which is has increased 1.8 times since 1976.
Obesity is increasing in China and is
more common in urban areas and among women.
Obesity is not new to the Pacific and
has long been regarded by Polynesian and Micronesian societies of this
region as a symbol of high social status and prosperity11. Prevalence has
risen dramatically however, in the last 20 years. In 1991 for example,
over 75% of urban males in Western Samoa were classified as obese. Childhood
obesity appears to be no longer restricted to the West as illustrated by
Tonga where 23% of school children were considered obese in 1986.