What are some factors that cause obesity to be higher in one country vs the other?

One question I find myself curious about is why a developed country like the United States has such a high rate of obesity. What factors drive this trend? Is it primarily the abundance of fast food restaurants, sedentary lifestyles, or genetic influences?

I was born in a country where obesity was rare, yet when I moved to the United States, I was surprised by how common it was. I wondered whether this difference stemmed from cultural norms, dietary habits, or lifestyle patterns in East Asian countries, where the majority of the population tends to appear fit and lean.

According to the first article that I read, the United States is the 2nd developed nation with the highest obesity rate. Comparing the obesity rate of the U.S. to a developed country in Asia, Japan, the U.S. rate is greater by 7.4 times. Japan only stands at 4.9% obesity rate, while the U.S. stands at 36.2%. Furthermore, 40.3% of American adults are classified as obese meaning that 2 in 5 adults are classified as obese. This number is considered high as it make up almost half of the population (⅖). 

With the second article that I read, it outlined different reasons that contribute to this higher rate of obesity in the U.S. than other countries. For instance, the majority of Americans depend on cars for transportation and most of the office work consists of seating. Unlike other European countries and Japan, a large number of the population rely on public transportation and also involve a lot of walking. Furthermore, due to the high prevalence and affordable fast food culture in America, it also negatively impacts the obesity rate. With the majority of fast foods containing high calories, low protein, and large portions, these contributed to the increase of obesity rate. Importantly, with the low socioeconomic status in certain areas, this makes it more challenging for the residents to have access to healthy foods and ingredients. Lastly, Americans tend to consume more sugary drinks such as sodas, energy drinks, and sweetened teas than other nations. 

Taken together, these factors place the United States among the top ten countries with the highest obesity rates and expose its population to a higher risk of serious health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and premature death.

References

https://theworlddata.com/us-obesity-rate-compared-to-other-countries/

https://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/why-is-america-leading-the-obesity-epidemic-exploring-the-root-causes/