Tag: Global health statistics

According to data from sources like WorldAtlas, Vietnam has one of the lowest obesity rates in the world, with only 2.1% of its population considered obese, but what country has the lowest fat rate overall? The answer depends on how you measure 'fat,' which is often equated with obesity prevalence based on BMI. This article delves into the statistics and underlying factors behind low body fat percentages in various nations.

According to World Population Review estimates from 2025, over 51% of Somalia's population suffered from some degree of malnutrition, positioning it as a country with one of the highest prevalences globally. However, pinpointing the single most malnourished country is complex, requiring a look at multiple factors, including prevalence, total number of people affected, and crisis severity.

According to a 2018 report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 37% of US adults consumed fast food on any given day. However, determining the single country that consumes the most fast food in the world is complex, as different metrics like market size, per capita spending, and daily consumption frequency all tell different parts of the story. While the United States leads in overall market size, other nations show high rates of per capita consumption, influenced by a blend of cultural, economic, and lifestyle factors.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a staggering one billion people worldwide have a vitamin D deficiency, with 50% of the population experiencing vitamin D insufficiency. This widespread issue affects diverse populations across the globe, impacting bone health and various other bodily functions. The prevalence of this deficiency varies significantly based on geography, age, skin tone, and cultural practices.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional disorder in the world, affecting an estimated two billion people. This widespread issue, often leading to anemia, has significant public health consequences, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations such as women and children.

Approximately 68% of the world's population has lactose malabsorption, a reduced ability to digest milk sugar after infancy, which is the underlying cause of lactose intolerance. However, not everyone with lactose malabsorption experiences the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, an estimated one billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient, while another 50% have vitamin D insufficiency. The exact percentage of the global population affected varies depending on the specific blood level used to define deficiency, as different health organizations use varying thresholds.

While the United States is often cited for its high sugar intake, global data reveals a more complex picture with several countries showing comparable or even higher per capita consumption. The consumption of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages is a key factor driving high sugar intake worldwide. This issue is particularly relevant given the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation to limit free sugar intake to less than 10% of total energy.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than two billion people around the globe suffer from deficiencies in key vitamins and minerals. This staggering statistic underscores the widespread nature of what is often called 'hidden hunger,' and begs the question, 'How many people have a mineral deficiency?'.

According to a 2023 study focusing on low and middle-income countries (LMICs), an estimated 333.95 million children and adolescents were affected by vitamin A deficiency in 2019. This critical statistic prompts the question: What percentage of people have vitamin A deficiency globally, and how does this vary by region?