Top 10 Ranked Unhealthiest Countries in the World

According to the WHO, worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. The numbers reflected in statistical data have grown as obesity sweeps the globe. Obesity has impacted more than one-third of the United States population alone.

Studies often look at obesity statistics to determine how countries around the globe rank for being unhealthy. However, obesity alone is not a means of measuring overall health. Recently, Clinic Compare (UK) did a study on 179 countries using three parameters:

• Alcohol consumption
• Tobacco use
• Prevalence of obesity

All three of these factors have their own equally serious set of health-related risks.

Most of the Eastern European countries made it to the list for their drinking and smoking. While Americans, Canadians, and the Oceania region came out as one of the “fattest countries in the world” due to their high obesity rates.

6. Hungary

Hungary is home to stunning architecture, but even this beautiful place has it’s health issues. Each person smokes 1,774 cigarettes per year on average, placing Hungary at number 6 on the list.

Unhealthy vs Obese

All three of these factors have their own equally serious set of health-related risks. Let’s have a look at some of these risks.

What are the Risks of Alcohol Consumption?

Moderate consumption of alcohol has its health benefits and drawbacks, however, heavy drinking is detrimental to one’s health. Some negative effects associated with large amounts of alcohol are the increased risk of:

• Neuropsychiatric impairment
• Early-Onset Dementia
• Cardiovascular disease
• Malnutrition
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Liver disease
• Cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Ulcers

Chronic alcohol abuse and alcoholism are also major risks capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body.

Note: The relationship between alcohol and weight is not yet resolved conclusively. But from what has been conducted so far, few studies show weight loss from drinking in comparison to how many show weight gain.

What are the Risks of Smoking?

Cigarette smoking has detrimental effects on one’s health. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, outranking HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol, motor vehicle injuries, and firearm-related incidents combined, causing 9 out of 10 deaths brought on by lung cancer. Smoking also causes an increased risk of several life-threatening health issues such as:

• Coronary heart disease (2 to 4 times increase in risk)
• Stroke (2 to 4 times increase in risk)
• Lung cancer (25 times increase in men, 25.7 times increase in women)
• Respiratory diseases
• SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Poor bone health
• Bladder, blood, cervix, colon, liver, stomach cancers

Learn more: Here is why you should quit smoking if you are obese

What are the Risks of Obesity?

Obesity is measured by Body Mass Index (BMI), a formula that divides weight by height. An ideal BMI for adults is under 25. BMI of higher than 25 is considered overweight while a BMI of over 30 is considered obese. Obesity can cause health-related problems like:

• Diabetes II
• High blood pressure
• Sleep apnea
• Cancer

The social stigma of being “fat” and how it affects all aspects of life, including sex life, are also important to note.

COVID-19 magnified the global obesity problems

Unhealthy Countries vs Healthiest Countries

According to research, Afghanistan was reported as the healthiest country with a 2.7% obesity rate. On the other hand, Samoa is ranked first for obesity with 41.6% of the population being obese. The Czech Republic is the unhealthiest country in the world, mainly due to their alcohol consumption.

The United Kingdom came 19th on the list overall as Britons (British people) are the 9th heaviest drinkers in the world. Canada was placed 14th for its 30% obesity rate.

Conclusion

While alcohol, smoking, and obesity are a big risk to everybody’s health, they are not all that we should look out for. Our overall health is affected by a large array of factors including:

• Physically active vs sedentary lifestyle
• Sugar intake
• Stress management
• Sleep habits
• Sun exposure
• Hereditary issues
• Work environment

But this definitely does bring to light just how serious a risk different lifestyle habits, not just obesity, can place your health and life at serious risk.

Sources:

• https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm
• https://www.businessinsider.com/most-unhealthy-countries-in-the-world-2017-9/#8-poland-on-average-each-resident-smokes-1369-cigarettes-per-year-and-drinks-123-liters-of-pure-alcohol-14

Related:

• Am I Morbidly Obese?
• What is Obesity?
• The Real Causes of Obesity
• Obesity Treatment: Weight Loss Surgery Procedures
• Five Leading Causes of Obesity: Learn Your Risks
• Is There a Link Between Depression and Obesity?
• Obesity and its impact on COVID-19
• UK Policy: No Surgery for Smokers or the Obese
• America’s Life Expectancy is Declining

Overview: According to research, Afghanistan was reported as the healthiest country with a 2.7% obesity rate. On the other hand, Samoa is ranked first for obesity with 41.6% of the population being obese. The Czech Republic is the unhealthiest country in the world, mainly due to their alcohol consumption. The United Kingdom came 19th on the list overall as Britons are the 9th heaviest drinkers. Canada was placed 14th for its 30% obesity rate.