More than one billion people live with obesity worldwide, according to global estimates published in "The Lancet".
According to 2022 data, this includes about 880 million adults and 159 million children.
The highest rates are in Tonga and American Samoa for women and nw American Samoa and Nauru for men, with about 70-80% of adults living with obesity.
Out of around 190 countries, the UK ranks 55th highest for men and 87th for women.
The international team of scientists says there is an urgent need for major changes in the way obesity is treated.
Obesity can increase the risk of developing many serious health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
Ranking global obesity rates the researchers found that: the US ranks 10th for men and 36th for women, India ranks 19th lowest for women and 21st lowest for men and China is 11th lowest for women and 52nd for men.
The report, covering the years 1990 and 2022, found obesity rates quadrupled among children and adolescents. Meanwhile, for adults, the rate has more than doubled among women and nearly tripled among men.
At the same time, the proportion of adults classified as underweight has fallen by 50%, but researchers point out that it still remains a pressing problem, particularly among poorer communities.
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "This new study highlights the importance of preventing and managing obesity from early life to adulthood, through diet, physical activity and adequate care."
