US Isn't World's Fattest Country— But It's Close

Amid near-constant news of the obesity epidemic, you'd be forgiven for thinking the US led the developed world when it comes to weight—but by at least one measure, you'd be wrong. Mexico actually has a higher percentage of obese adults, with 32.8% of its grown-up population meeting the description, a UN report finds. The US isn't far behind, however, with 31.8% of adults considered obese.

In Mexico, some 70% of adults are overweight, al-Jazeera notes. Keeping fit isn't easy for Mexican children in particular, who face both obesity and malnourishment, CNN reports. "They are exposed to high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, energy-dense ... foods, which tend to be lower in cost but also lower in nutrient quality," says the World Health Organization. Amid climbing incomes and shifts to city life, Mexico is also seeing a more sedentary lifestyle among its population. Across the planet, obesity has doubled since 1980. (More Mexico stories.)