The obesity rate is rising in the world's most developed countries, and in many regions women and the poor are being impacted the most dramatically.
Obesity rates are rising as much as three percent per year in Australia, Mexico, and France, Reuters reported. In the United States it is starting to level out.
A recent data review suggest recession rates could have an impact on these numbers. The global recession that struck in 2008 forced many families to cut back on buying healthier food. Even in countries that suffered the least showed changes in their obesity rate, especially in lower-income groups.
"The economic crisis is likely to have contributed to further growth in obesity," OECD researchers wrote, Reuters reported.
The review looked at OECD countries, which include mostly developed nations and some emerging ones such as Turkey and Mexico. The review did not include countries such as India and China.
High obesity rates can increase the financial health burden of a country. Obesity can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
The report did say that efforts to reduce obesity rates such as "financial incentives to boost wellness or increasing basic health exams" are on the up and up.
"The economic crisis may have contributed to a further growth in obesity, but most governments need to do more to stop this rising tide," OECD health policy analyst Michele Cecchini said in a statement, Reuters reported.
In the future other efforts could help drive down obesity rates. These changes could include stricter guidelines and restrictions on marketing unhealthy food for children as well as "carefully designed" food and beverage taxes, Reuters reported.
One in five children in developed countries are overweight, but "more countries have managed to stabilize or even slightly reduce rates of child obesity than they have of adult obesity," the researchers wrote, Reuters reported.
