Chapter 20: Adult Overweight Around the World

The introductory text reads, A century ago, being overweight was a sign of affluence, as the poor were less likely to enjoy a calorie-rich diet and more likely to be engaged in physical labor. Today, that link is less clear. Overweight—defined as having a body mass index (B M I) over 25—is common across socioeconomic groups and across nations, and obesity (a B M I over 30) is a growing health threat worldwide.
A graph titled Overweight and G D P plots overweight population percentage against Gross Domestic Product per Person in dollars. G D P per person below 32,500 dollars indicates Poorer and above 32,500 dollars indicates Richer. International cutoff weights for overweight and obesity are set at various levels. These numbers show proportions of adults whose B M I is over 25. The overweight population is represented using circles and a section in the circle represents obesity rate. Larger circles represent higher percentages. 
Countries having poorer G D P per person (approximate) and their overweight population (circle size in ascending order) are as follows. India: 19.7 percent of overweight population is obese; 1800 dollars G D P. Niger: 22 percent of overweight population is obese; 1000 dollars G D P. Kenya: 25.5 percent of overweight population is obese; 1500 dollars G D P. Indonesia: 28.2 percent of overweight population is obese; 4000 dollars G D P. China: 32.3 percent of overweight population is obese; 10,000 dollars G D P. Haiti: 54.9 percent of overweight population is obese; 1200 dollars G D P. Brazil: 56.3 percent of overweight population is obese; 9000 dollars G D P. Russia: 57.1 percent of overweight population is obese; 11000 dollars G D P. Mexico: 64.9 percent of overweight population is obese; 8500 dollars G D P. Saudi Arabia: 69.7 percent of overweight population is obese; 23,500 dollars G D P.
Countries having richer G D P per person and their overweight population (circle size in ascending order) are as follows. Japan: 27.2 percent of overweight population is obese; 39,000 dollars G D P. Germany: 56.8 percent of overweight population is obese; 48,500 dollars G D P. Italy: 58.5 percent of overweight population is obese; 33,500 dollars G D P. France: 59.5 percent of overweight population is obese; 41,500 dollars G D P. The United States: 67.9 percent of overweight population is obese; 62,500 dollars G D P.
A subheading reads, U. S. Obesity Rates by Income Level and Ethnicity. The following text reads, While common wisdom holds that overweight and obesity correlate with income, recent data suggests that culture and gender may play a bigger role. Obesity tends to be less prevalent among wealthy U. S. women; for men, the patterns are less consistent.
A horizontal bar graph titled, Household Income plots obesity level in percentage against federal poverty level. Federal poverty level is distinguished into less than or equal to 130 percent, more than 130 to 350 percent, and above 350 percent respectively. The obesity percentage for four groups as per federal poverty levels is approximately as follows.
Overall:
Less than or equal to 130 percent: Both sexes, 39; Women, 45; Men, 31.
More than 130 percent to 350 percent: Both sexes, 41; Women, 42; Men, 39.
Above 350 percent: Both sexes, 31; Women, 30; Men, 31.
White:
Less than or equal to 130 percent: Both sexes, 32; Women, 41; Men, 29.
More than 130 percent to 350 percent: Both sexes, 40; Women, 42; Men, 38.
Above 350 percent: Both sexes, 30; Women, 28; Men, 33.
Black:
Less than or equal to 130 percent: Both sexes, 48; Women, 55; Men, 34.
More than 130 percent to 350 percent: Both sexes, 48; Women, 60; Men, 36.
Above 350 percent: Both sexes, 49; Women, 57; Men, 42.
Asian:
Less than or equal to 130 percent: Both sexes, 15; Women, 17; Men, 12.
More than 130 percent to 350 percent: Both sexes, 11; Women, 12; Men, 10.
Above 350 percent: Both sexes, 11; Women, 10; Men, 12.
Hispanic:
Less than or equal to 130 percent: Both sexes, 41; Women, 49; Men, 36.
More than 130 percent to 350 percent: Both sexes, 45; Women, 45; Men, 45.
Above 350 percent: Both sexes, 40; Women, 42; Men, 37.