25 Nov 2010

Eight Pacific nations in top ten of fattest countries list

2:58 pm on 25 November 2010

Nauru has been ranked number one in a list of the fattest countries of 2010.

95 per cent of Nauru's population is recorded as having a Body Mass Index, or BMI, of over 25 while a BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal weight.

According to GlobalPost, which used World Health Organisation statistics to compile its list, South Pacific countries make up most of the top ten.

Tonga, the Cook Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are equal second on the list with 92 percent of their populations considered overweight.

Niue's 5th with 84 percent, Samoa is 6th, Palau 7th and Kiribati 9th with 77 percent.

As well as the tradition of fattening ceremonies in Nauru, its high BMI average is attributed to the transition from a diet of fruit and fish to Western-style meals.