Financial crisis has made the world fatter, says a new report from experts than links economic issues with obesity.
Most people in the 34-nation Organisation of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) are overweight, according to the study Fit Not Fat.
More people have put on weight since the financial crisis started in 2007 than in the years leading up to the collapse, claim researchers.
They blame families having to buy cheaper food that has made them gain weight and exposed them to illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The OECD says in the 1980s, fewer than 10% of the OECD populations were obese – now the figure is up to 18% and still increasing.
Worst countries for obesity
The worst countries for obesity are Mexico, New Zealand and the United States with at least a third of adults carrying too many pounds.
In Australia, Canada, Chile and Hungary, the figure drops slightly to a quarter of adults.
But in Asia, the obesity rate drops to an average 3% of adults.
Now the OECD experts are calling on governments to take action to reduce obesity by helping people shed the weight they have gained.
In the US, some states offer financial incentives for losing weight.
Mexico has a nationwide good eating education program and has hiked taxes on some foods to discourage families from buying them.
Obesity has remained the same in England, Italy, Korea, and the United States.
Spending less on food
However, the research shoes 20% of children are too fat across the OECD – with the rate rising to a third of children in Greece, Italy, Slovenia and the US.
The study also points out obesity is also an inequality issue for women.
“Recession, being out of work and dried up credit has led to many families spending less on food,” said the OECD report. “Not only are they spending less, but buying the wrong sort of food. Many are eating a lot more junk food which comes with more fat and higher calorie counts.
“Our data shows the global financial downturn has increased obesity and that governments need to implement policies to halt the trend.”
Figures from the report show that families in Britain cut spending on food by 8.5% during the recession, but increased their calorie intake by nearly 5%. Evidence also suggests many families stopped buying fresh fruit and vegetables at the same time.
