A study analyzed trends in adult overweight and obesity prevalence from 1980 to 2008 across 199 countries and territories. The global age-standardized obesity prevalence nearly doubled from 6.4% in 1980 to 12.0% in 2008, with half the increase occurring between 1980 and 2000, and the other half between 2000 and 2008. The age-standardized overweight prevalence increased from 24.6% to 34.4% during the same period. In 2008, female obesity prevalence ranged from 1.4% in Bangladesh to 74.8% in Nauru, while male obesity was below 1% in several countries and highest in Cook Islands and Nauru. The study found that obesity prevalence varied significantly by region and country, with some areas experiencing rapid increases. The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased globally since 1980, with the rate of increase accelerating. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the growing obesity epidemic. The data can be used to set targets for obesity prevalence as requested by the United Nations. The study used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate mean BMI and a regression model to predict overweight and obesity prevalence. The results show that the relationship between BMI and obesity prevalence is nonlinear, with higher BMI increases leading to larger increases in obesity prevalence at higher BMI levels. The study also found that the prevalence of obesity increased more among men than women in many regions. The study underscores the importance of addressing obesity through policy and public health initiatives.A study analyzed trends in adult overweight and obesity prevalence from 1980 to 2008 across 199 countries and territories. The global age-standardized obesity prevalence nearly doubled from 6.4% in 1980 to 12.0% in 2008, with half the increase occurring between 1980 and 2000, and the other half between 2000 and 2008. The age-standardized overweight prevalence increased from 24.6% to 34.4% during the same period. In 2008, female obesity prevalence ranged from 1.4% in Bangladesh to 74.8% in Nauru, while male obesity was below 1% in several countries and highest in Cook Islands and Nauru. The study found that obesity prevalence varied significantly by region and country, with some areas experiencing rapid increases. The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased globally since 1980, with the rate of increase accelerating. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the growing obesity epidemic. The data can be used to set targets for obesity prevalence as requested by the United Nations. The study used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate mean BMI and a regression model to predict overweight and obesity prevalence. The results show that the relationship between BMI and obesity prevalence is nonlinear, with higher BMI increases leading to larger increases in obesity prevalence at higher BMI levels. The study also found that the prevalence of obesity increased more among men than women in many regions. The study underscores the importance of addressing obesity through policy and public health initiatives.