Band 8+: The chart below gives Information about the percentage of the adult population who were overweight in four different countries in 1980, 1990 and 2000.

The chart illustrates figures for obese people in the USA, Britain, Sweden and Japan from 1980 to 2000.

Overall, it can be seen that the percentage of overweight people in four countries increased constantly between 1980 and 2000. However, when obesity levels in America and the UK grew considerably, those in Sweden and Japan climbed slowly, with the US having the highest proportion and Japan the lowest.

Over the two decades, America presented the highest figures, starting at around 15% in 1990, increasing sharply to about 25% in 1999, and peaking at 30% by 2000. Britain’s overweight population escalated from approximately 7% in 1990 to around 15% in 1999, culminating about 20% in 2000.

In contrast, the rise in obesity levels in the other two countries was lower. Sweden started at a relatively low percentage of about 4% in 1990, but it accelerated markedly, reaching 10% in 1999 and increasing further to 15% by 2000. The percentage of overweight adults was the lowest in Japan, recorded at about 3%. This figure experienced a gradual increase to around 5% in both 1999 and 2000.