The World is Round, and Apparently So Are We0

According to a recent publication by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), obesity has spread at “an alarming rate” since the 1980’s.  In countries affiliated with OECD, 1 in 2 is overweight and 1 in 6 is obese.  Obesity has been more defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a BMI of 30 and above (a BMI of 30 is about 30 pounds overweight).  The following table can help you identify your BMI:

This table offers a sample of BMI measurements. For additional height and/or weight options, visit the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute’s complete listing here.

The OECD’s publication listed estimated country obesity rates as follows:

  • Japan 3%
  • Korea 4%
  • Switzerland 8%
  • Italy 10%
  • Norway 10%
  • Sweden 10%
  • France 11%
  • Denmark 11%
  • Netherlands 12%
  • Austria 12%
  • Poland 13%
  • Israel 14%
  • Belgium 14%
  • Turkey 15%
  • Portugal 15%
  • Finland 16%
  • OECD average 16%
  • Germany 16%
  • Slovenia 16%
  • Slovak Rep. 17%
  • Czech Rep. 17%
  • Spain 17%
  • Greece 18%
  • Hungary 19%
  • Luxembourg 20%
  • Iceland 20%
  • Chile 22%
  • Ireland 23%
  • Canada 24%
  • UK 25%
  • Australia 25%
  • New Zealand 27%
  • USA 28%
  • Mexico 30%

In some countries this rate is projected to increase by an additional 1% per year for the next 10 years.

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