Research
Mixed
Women in developing countries are at higher risk for obesity than men, and this gender disparity persists across income levels, with female obesity rates often exceeding male rates even in high-income countries.
Women in developing countries should be aware of the higher risk of obesity due to biological and social factors. Prioritize regular physical activity and balanced nutrition, especially as economic status changes.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Female obesity is higher than male obesity for all categories of income countries, except in the case of high-income countries whereby male obesity (21.8%) is slightly more elevated than that for females (21.6%).
Why this rating
Based on WHO data and observational studies.
Source
Overweight and Obesity Epidemic in Developing Countries: A Problem with Diet, Physical Activity, or Socioeconomic Status?
Trishnee Bhurosy et al. · The Scientific World JOURNAL · 2014
DOI 10.1155/2014/964236
narrative_reviewCited 512×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- In developing countries, the obesity epidemic is primarily driven by 'nutrition transition'—defined as improved food access combined with decreased physical activity—rather than solely by individual dietary choices or lack of willpower.Moderate
- In developing countries, lower socioeconomic status (SES) is increasingly associated with higher obesity prevalence, reversing the trend seen in developed nations where higher SES often correlates with lower obesity.Moderate
Related findings · Mixed
- Bariatric surgery (VSG and RYGB) is the most effective and sustainable treatment for obesity, producing marked and sustained weight loss that non-surgical interventions cannot match.Strong
- Severely protein-deficient diets (2–3% energy) induce lean body mass loss and metabolic imbalance, whereas adequate protein intake (0.66 g/kg/d minimum) is a prerequisite for maintaining muscle, bone, and physiological function.Strong
- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →