The 10 least obese countries in the world are mostly from Asia and Africa. Changing food habits, improving medical care and awareness about one’s health have contributed towards the betterment of public health over the last century. However, obesity has also become a global epidemic even in (or especially in) developed countries, where sedentary lifestyles and sugar-laden food have led to bloated citizenry.
However, not every country has the “first-world” problems of having too much to eat, and some of the least obese countries in the world have achieved that not because of strict diets, but simply because they are poorer countries that can’t overindulge on food as easily. According to a Lancet study, the number of underweight persons worldwide increased to 462 million in 2014 from 330 million in 1975. A large proportion of those 462 million people live in some of the world’s poorest regions, especially in South Asia. Excessively low body weight is a serious public health issue in the least obese countries in the world. Being underweight also increases various health risks like anemia and osteoporosis.
The world is a highly unequal place with food shortages in poor nations and rising obesity in developed countries. If you’re interested in reading more about the obesity epidemic and where it’s being felt the most, check out our list of the 11 fattest countries in the world. Some developed countries are taking proactive measures to solve the challenges of modern society on weight. While the Japanese follow a healthy regime of food and exercise to remain fit, countries like Thailand have adopted an equitable medical scheme for the benefit of their society.
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Income disparity remains a huge concern in developing nations like India, where children and females suffer from malnutrition, stunted growth and anemic conditions, leading to poor productivity. In many low-income countries, socioeconomic reasons like poverty, water, sanitation and education are important factors determining health and weight.
Many large pharma companies are interested in supplying medicine for cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure; ailments that affect rich countries that will potentially pay more for these drugs. In 2012, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) stopped research and development into all anti-infective drugs which affected developing countries. Most of the multinational drug firms argue that it costs a lot to develop these drugs. But some drug companies have also pledged to help poor countries. For example, Novo Nordisk A/S (ADR) (NYSE:NVO) announced that it will provide insulin at sharply discounted prices to poor nations, while Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY) agreed to donate its technology and rights to make TB drugs in the past. Giant drug companies like Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and GlaxoSmithKline PLC (ADR) (NYSE:GSK) that have large presences in developing nations also stand to benefit from the high incidence of diseases related to malnutrition.
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Over the next few pages we have listed the 10 least obese countries in the world. We have ranked the least obese countries based on their obesity rates according to Caloribee, which does not include countries with high rates of poverty or malnutrition, so the list isn’t skewed towards countries with little to eat. We have also listed the mean BMI of each country’s citizens by gender, as of 2014, using data compiled by the WHO. A person is said to be underweight when his or her body mass index (BMI) (a person’s weight in kilograms divided by their height in meters) is less than 18.5. A person with a BMI equal to or more than 25 is considered overweight, while 30 or more is considered obese.
10. Japan
Mean BMI: Males – 23.6 /Females – 21.7
Japanese dietary habits are healthier compared to other developed countries and they walk a lot. As a result, people in Japan are considered to be among the healthiest in the world, with higher life expectancy rates than most countries. Though much of this can be attributed to their healthy lifestyle, the Japanese government also spends about 10% of its GDP on healthcare services. Only 3% of Japanese citizens have a body mass index of over 30.
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9. Thailand
Mean BMI: Males – 23.5 /Females – 24.5
Infectious diseases including malaria, dengue and tuberculosis caused a lot of deaths in Thailand in the past. However, health conditions have improved and the country employs a progressive financing model that has resulted in an equitable health system. Thailand has also successfully reduced mortality rates in children under five. Poverty in Thailand is most prevalent in rural areas, which face major health problems.
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8. Yemen
Mean BMI: Males – 23.4 /Females – 23.5
Yemen is regarded as the poorest country in the Middle East and is one of the least developed nations in the world. According to estimates, one out of five people in Yemen is malnourished and more than 50% of the population is poor. The country suffers from a shortage of water and major infectious diseases like diarrhea, typhoid and malaria are also common. Other problems plaguing the country include civil war and corruption.
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7. Comoros
Mean BMI: Males – 23.1 /Females – 25.1
Comoros ranks seventh on our list of the 10 least obese countries in the world. Comoros is a four-island nation located in the Indian Ocean. The underdeveloped country suffers from a high rate of malnutrition, population growth, unemployment and political instability. The average child’s health is very poor owing to a lack of essential nutrients and contaminated food and water.
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6. Philippines
Mean BMI: Males – 23.1 /Females – 23.4
According to Lancet, the Philippines that ranks 6th in our list of least obese countries in the world is among the countries with the highest rate of underweight men and women. Millions of children and adults suffer from malnutrition in the country. A growing population, conflicting land laws and policies, and the absence of agrarian reform have all posed an increasing threat to nourishment in the region. Rural regions are the most affected by hunger and food insecurity.
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5. Djibouti
Mean BMI: Males – 22.4 /Females – 23.7
The African country of Djibouti that’s up next in our list of least obese countries in the world is small, arid, and sparsely populated. The state of the healthcare system in the country is not very developed and is managed by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Affairs and charities. The country is also prone to natural calamities like droughts and earthquakes. People in Djibouti are under the threat of certain diseases like malaria, diarrhea, typhoid, and yellow fever. Djibouti has a low industrialization rate and very little natural resources. Most of its citizens eat vegetable stew, soups, and lentils, and chew a narcotic plant known as qat, which results in decreased productivity and sleepiness. As a result, a typical family here spends more on qat than on health or education.
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4. Singapore
Mean BMI: Males – 24.2 /Females – 23.1
People in Singapore are very conscious about their health. They follow a strict diet and walk a lot. Sensible eating habits and an active life is taught to children from an early age. The country that ranks 4th in our list of least obese countries in the world, has a highly developed pro-business economy and is one of the least corrupt nations in the world. Recently, the country introduced a more comprehensive and patient-centric healthcare system, reorganizing the public healthcare system into three integrated clusters.
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3. Sudan
Mean BMI: Males – 23.6 /Females – 26.6
The Sudanese love to have lavish dinners and sugary desserts. But parts of the African country still have high incidence rates of diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and water-borne diseases like cholera. The government’s funding of healthcare is minimal. Average life expectancy is also low and the poorest people have no money to spend on healthcare. Moreover, there is a lack of adequate healthcare facilities, especially in the rural areas.
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2. Indonesia
Mean BMI: Males – 22.3 /Females – 23.4
Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of 18,000 islands. Hence, the Indonesian cuisine consists of a variety of food. Many people in the island nation are vegetarians, as they follow the teachings of Buddhism. Certain foods in Indonesia are of low fat and high fiber such as tofu, fruit rujak, lalab, and capcay. Their home cooked food does not use any preservatives or canned ingredients. The country also has a universal healthcare system in place which seeks to make healthcare accessible to the entire nation for a minimal premium.
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1. Sri Lanka
Mean BMI: Males – 22.6 /Females – 23.6
Sri Lanka ranks first on our list of the 10 least obese countries in the world. Sri Lanka, another island nation in the Indian Ocean, has a robust universal healthcare system which provides free healthcare to its citizens. The country has reported low infant and maternal death rates, and high life expectancy when compared to most of its neighbors. Sri Lankans mostly have steamed rice with chicken, fish or prawn curry, and vegetables as their staple meals. According to AIA’s 2016 Healthy Living Index Survey, 95% of Sri Lankans are aware of the significance of healthy living.
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