The line graph compares past, current, and predicted proportions of overweight people in nine selected OECD countries between 1970 and 2020.
Overall, overweight rates are expected to increase in all countries over the period. The USA records the highest proportions throughout the graph and projected to remain the most overweight nation by the end of the graph. By contrast, Korea has the lowest overweight rate, despite a steady increase. Among the remaining countries, Canada is forecast to experience one of the most noticeable rises.
In the USA, the proportion of overweight people stood at approximately 45%. After a slight decline to around 43% by the end of that decade, the figure rose steadily, reaching about 60% in 2000 and is predicted to climb further to roughly 75% by 2020. Canada followed a similar upward trend, increasing from around 45% in the early 1990s to nearly 58% in the 2000 before being projected to approach 70% by the end of the period.
The remaining countries also experienced upward trend. England and Spain are expected to rise to 65% and 55% respectively by 2020. Austria and Italy remained at intermediate levels, ending the period at 46% and 45%, while Australia is projected to reach 45%.
