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.