Where does South Africa sit on the world fat scale? You'll be surprised! These are the 10 fattest countries in the world for 2014, according to TheRichest.com
10. Trinidad and Tobago: 30% of population
1 in 3 people in Trinidad and Tobago are obese, according to recent studies by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute. Obesity, especially among children, has exploded in recent years and coincides with the rise of the fast food industry in this region of the world.
9. Venezuela: 30.8% of population
The Venezuelan government reports that 38% the countries population is obese. The president of the country embarked on a national obesity campaign by birthing new government agencies tasked with overseeing food guidelines in places where diet is most at risk, like in schools.
8. United States: 31.8% of population
The US is the only Western country where nearly 1 in 3 people qualify as obese. This is despite the fact that the country is the birthplace of both the “thin is in” media influence, as well as the world's sugar addiction.
7. Mexico: 32.8% of population
Seven out of ten Mexicans are overweight and three out of ten are clinically obese. However, the Mexican government has been more aggressive on taking action and has passed a variety of anti-junk food laws in the form of “sin taxes”.
6. South Africa: 33.5% of population
An increasingly westernised lifestyle has made South Africa the only sub-Saharan African country with a serious weight problem. This is largely due to the fact that fast-food markets are wildly successful here. With thinness historically associated with disease and fatness with wealth and success, South African culture is a prime example of how this model is being turned on its head.
5. United Arab Emirates: 33.7% of population
Last year, the Dubai government launched a 30-day weight challenge, which rewarded weight loss with gold. Qualifying contestants stood to win two grams of solid gold worth about $90 for every two kilograms they lost. Although it did little to curb the obesity rate, it symbolised the countries desire to eliminate obesity.
4. Jordan: 34.3% of population
In 2010, the obesity rate of Jordanian adult women was 60%, almost double the rate of men.
3. Egypt: 34.6% of population
Like much of the Middle East, cultural appreciation of overweightness - particularly in women - leaves Egypt with one of the highest obesity rates in the world. A 2011 Euromonitor International report estimates 53% of females 15 and above will be obese by 2020.
2. Saudi Arabia: 35.2% of population
In a landmark move for both gender equality and fitness, the Saudi government recently started considering allowing women to do sports at public schools. 72% of the country’s over 40 demographic qualifying as clinically obese and because of this, the Saudi Kingdom is likely to face enormous health challenges in coming years.
1. Kuwait: 42.8% of population
When American troops arrived in Kuwait during the first Gulf War, so did American fast food. Kuwait’s oil boom rapidly brought the affluence, the infrastructure, and the Western ethos. The result is an obesity rate of 1 in 2 people.
10. Trinidad and Tobago: 30% of population
1 in 3 people in Trinidad and Tobago are obese, according to recent studies by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute. Obesity, especially among children, has exploded in recent years and coincides with the rise of the fast food industry in this region of the world.
9. Venezuela: 30.8% of population
The Venezuelan government reports that 38% the countries population is obese. The president of the country embarked on a national obesity campaign by birthing new government agencies tasked with overseeing food guidelines in places where diet is most at risk, like in schools.
8. United States: 31.8% of population
The US is the only Western country where nearly 1 in 3 people qualify as obese. This is despite the fact that the country is the birthplace of both the “thin is in” media influence, as well as the world's sugar addiction.
7. Mexico: 32.8% of population
Seven out of ten Mexicans are overweight and three out of ten are clinically obese. However, the Mexican government has been more aggressive on taking action and has passed a variety of anti-junk food laws in the form of “sin taxes”.
6. South Africa: 33.5% of population
An increasingly westernised lifestyle has made South Africa the only sub-Saharan African country with a serious weight problem. This is largely due to the fact that fast-food markets are wildly successful here. With thinness historically associated with disease and fatness with wealth and success, South African culture is a prime example of how this model is being turned on its head.
5. United Arab Emirates: 33.7% of population
Last year, the Dubai government launched a 30-day weight challenge, which rewarded weight loss with gold. Qualifying contestants stood to win two grams of solid gold worth about $90 for every two kilograms they lost. Although it did little to curb the obesity rate, it symbolised the countries desire to eliminate obesity.
4. Jordan: 34.3% of population
In 2010, the obesity rate of Jordanian adult women was 60%, almost double the rate of men.
3. Egypt: 34.6% of population
Like much of the Middle East, cultural appreciation of overweightness - particularly in women - leaves Egypt with one of the highest obesity rates in the world. A 2011 Euromonitor International report estimates 53% of females 15 and above will be obese by 2020.
2. Saudi Arabia: 35.2% of population
In a landmark move for both gender equality and fitness, the Saudi government recently started considering allowing women to do sports at public schools. 72% of the country’s over 40 demographic qualifying as clinically obese and because of this, the Saudi Kingdom is likely to face enormous health challenges in coming years.
1. Kuwait: 42.8% of population
When American troops arrived in Kuwait during the first Gulf War, so did American fast food. Kuwait’s oil boom rapidly brought the affluence, the infrastructure, and the Western ethos. The result is an obesity rate of 1 in 2 people.