Weight Issues Around the World

Reader's Digest surveyed and analyzed responses from 16,000 people in 16 countries to find out what people around the world think about weight.

Here's what they found:

The most pressure to be thin
Brazil topped the list, with 83% lamenting that their culture places too much emphasis on weight. Runners up are India at 68% and the US at 62%. This isn't that surprising as the beauty industry has surged in Brazil in recent years. There is likely a correlation there.

Wives who want their husband to lose weight
Just over 50% of married women in the United States want a thinner husband, while 47% of married American men said they were displeased with their wife's weight. With so many people overweight, it's no small wonder that spouses would like each other to be thinner.

It is a little surprising that the percentage of wives was higher. I wonder how much of this issue is health vs. perceived attractiveness?

Husbands who want their wife to lose weight
Indian men were most unhappy with their spouse's weight, with 48% saying they wished their wife was thinner.

Most accepting of spouse's weight
Hungarians. Only 11% of Hungarian men and 14% of women want their mates to be less chunky.

Country most aware of the dangers of obesity
Finland. No country has turned their collective health around quite like the Finn's. In the 1970s, Finland had the world's highest deaths from heart disease. In the past 3 decades, public health campaigns to educate people about diet, exercise, and the dangers of smoking helped slash heart disease deaths in the working-age population by 80 percent, and added nearly ten years to the average Finn's life.

Most likely to use weight loss pills
China: 37% had used weight loss pills. Runners up include -
Brazil: 30%
Russia: 24%
Mexico: 23%
US: 19%

Most likely to blame genetics
70% of Russians said their weight problems are inherited, followed by Germans (61%) and Indians (50%). In the United States, 20% of respondents blamed their genes for a weight problem.

Very interesting! I can't even begin to speculate on this one. Any ideas?

Most likely to blame Americans
More than any country surveyed, the French were most likely to blame American eating habits and American fast-food companies for spreading obesity. The French blaming the US? In related news, water is wet.

As obesity becomes an increasingly critical issue outside of North America, it is intriguing to see cultural differences and similarities of weight issues.

Written By Mike Howard on Feb 1, 2010

MORE: Body Image, body image, survey

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10 Comments

Ann on 02/ 1/10

I'm pretty surprised by the responses from India. I wonder what has influenced them?

J. Foster on 02/ 1/10

The Indian response is fascinating, but does lead one to question survey methods, and who the survey respondents were. Perhaps it was the noveau-rich in India? There is such enormous variety there, and massive differences between various classes in society, you can't help thinking this survey is useless.

Spectra on 02/ 1/10

Yeah, I'd pretty much hate living in Brazil. It seems like if you aren't pick-thin, tan and don't have breast and butt implants, you aren't considered attractive. I can definitely see how 83% of Brazilians feel pressure regarding their weight.

And of course the French WOULD blame the US for supposedly causing a global obesity epidemic, but in reality, I'm pretty sure that the fact that other countries are becoming industrialized and modernized and have easier access to food than they used to has something to do with them getting fatter.

Jody - Fit at 52 on 02/ 2/10

Spectra, how come I am thinking so much like you with all these things! :-)

Lana on 02/ 1/10

For Russians claiming genetics: I'm going to make a massive generalization here, but I think they are genetically and culturally programmed to drink copious amounts of vodka and other alcohols. Which we all know does not help with your body fat percentage.

Spectra on 02/ 3/10

What about the Germans and their genetic ability to drink copious amounts of beer? My husband's family is 100% German on both sides and they drink whenever they have an excuse...parties, funerals, weddings, picnics, when they're happy, when they're depressed, etc.

Fast Ways To Lose Weight on 02/ 1/10

Interesting, I thought that the U.S would score much higher--I guess things aren't as bad as they make them out to be over here.

O. on 02/ 2/10

I once heard that South America is the eating disorder capital of the world. They have a lot of clinics down there. I also heard that it is really hard to find clothes down there if you are a woman and your size is higher than their equivalent to a U.S. size 8.

The article seems to be saying this is a recent problem brought on by the expanding beauty industry. But South America has been a hot bed of beauty pagents for years. With their countries often winning the Miss Universe Pagent and putting winners images on coins and stamps.

Ann on 02/ 2/10

Well, South America is a continent not a country, but Brazil is in South America ...

Robert on 02/ 2/10

Weight issues are clearly tied to wide availability of inexpensive food and having discipline enough to control one's appetite.

Blaming the US, while simultaneously pursuing US culture, has become a popular game. The chant goes something like, "you guilty, fat, disgusting US capitalists... we want to be just like you because you're so cool, but without having to do all the work, so just give us your money." Much of the world is simply so backwards it's comical.