This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the trends in adult overweight and obesity prevalence from 1980 to 2008 across 199 countries and territories. Using a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate mean body mass index (BMI) and regression models to predict overweight and obesity prevalence, the authors found that the global age-standardized prevalence of obesity nearly doubled from 6.4% in 1980 to 12.0% in 2008. The increase was more pronounced in the period between 1980 and 2000 (2.8 percentage points) compared to 2000-2008 (2.8 percentage points). The prevalence of overweight increased from 24.6% in 1980 to 34.4% in 2008. The highest obesity prevalence was observed in Nauru (74.8%) and Tonga (70.4%), while the lowest was in Bangladesh (1.4%) and Madagascar (1.5%). Male obesity was below 1% in Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia, and above 60% in Cook Islands and Nauru. The study highlights the accelerating rise in obesity prevalence, which has significant implications for public health and policy-making. The data can be used to set ambitious yet feasible targets for obesity prevention and control, as requested by the United Nations General Assembly's High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the trends in adult overweight and obesity prevalence from 1980 to 2008 across 199 countries and territories. Using a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate mean body mass index (BMI) and regression models to predict overweight and obesity prevalence, the authors found that the global age-standardized prevalence of obesity nearly doubled from 6.4% in 1980 to 12.0% in 2008. The increase was more pronounced in the period between 1980 and 2000 (2.8 percentage points) compared to 2000-2008 (2.8 percentage points). The prevalence of overweight increased from 24.6% in 1980 to 34.4% in 2008. The highest obesity prevalence was observed in Nauru (74.8%) and Tonga (70.4%), while the lowest was in Bangladesh (1.4%) and Madagascar (1.5%). Male obesity was below 1% in Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia, and above 60% in Cook Islands and Nauru. The study highlights the accelerating rise in obesity prevalence, which has significant implications for public health and policy-making. The data can be used to set ambitious yet feasible targets for obesity prevention and control, as requested by the United Nations General Assembly's High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.