Extra body weight has long been associated with wealth, as evident from Renaissance art to stereotypes of modern American consumers. However, according to the CIA World Factbook (and World Health Organisation data), the top-20 most obese countries are concentrated in the South Pacific, Middle East and Latin America. In developing and middle-income countries, obesity is accompanying increased urbanisation, posing unforeseen threats to public health and testing the policy resolve and fiscal capacity of governments.

http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/weighty-problem-for-urban-asia

“Weighty problem for urban Asia.” The Straits Times (Singapore), 12 Apr 2016, with Asit K. Biswas.