Greater Number of Obese People in Developing World than Wealthier Countries

A recent survey shows that the number of overweight and obese adults in the developing world is almost four times greater than it was in 1980.

According to the Overseas Development Institute, they note that one in three people worldwide are now overweight and governments have been urged to do more to influence their diets.

The U.K. institute recommends that approximately 64 percent of adults are classified as being obese, according to the BBC.

For instance, from 1980 to 2008, the percentage of adults who were overweight or obese with a body mass index of greater than 25 grew from 23 to 34 percent.

The news organization notes that the majority of this increase was seen in the developing world, particularly in countries such as Egypt and Mexico.

With a total of 904 million people making up the developing countries that are now classified as overweight or obese at a BMI of more than 25 up from 250 million in 1980.

However, undernourishment is still recognized to be a problem for hundreds of millions in the same areas-particularly children.

Data from Population Health Metrics shows how researchers looked at changing overweight and obesity rates across the regions of the world and by individual countries.

The information showed large increases in overweight and obese populations for parts of North Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

The greatest growth in overweight populations was noted in parts of south east Asia, where the percentage tripled from a lower starting point of 7 to 22 percent.

Health officials suggest that there could be multiple reasons for these health issues.

"People with higher incomes have the ability to choose the kind of foods they want," Steve Wiggins, one of the report authors said, via the BBC. "Changes in lifestyle, the increasing availability of processed foods, advertising, media influences... have all led to dietary changes."

Wiggins also suggests that a lack of exercise may be to blame for the increase in overweight or obese individuals.

What do you think?

More information regarding the findings can be seen via Population Health Metrics.