Have you ever wondered if more cycling would mean a thinner nation? Less obesity, less diabetes, less heart disease, longer life – all those good things? Well, here’s some research about the fattest countries in the world and cycling rates that seems to prove that more cycling really would have all those good results.
It’s kind of hard not to notice the difference – a lot of cyclists do seem to be in better shape than a lot of non-cyclistsThe Fattest Countries in the World
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published results of surveys on world obesity. The top 10 fattest countries of our current decade are listed below. (The percentages show what percent of the population is overweight.)
- American Samoa, 93.5 %
- Kiribati, 81.5 %
- United States, 66.7 %
- Germany, 66.5 %
- Egypt, 66 %
- Bosnia-Herzegovina, 62.9 %
- New Zealand, 62.7 %
- Israel, 61.9 %
- Croatia, 61.4 %
- United Kingdom, 61 %
I compared these rates of obesity to rates of cycling in various countries.
Easier said than done, as the rates of cycling are surprisingly difficult to find. But finally, this is what I was able to find.
The Top Cycling Countries in the World
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Belgium
- Germany
- Sweden
- Italy
- Austria
- France
Do you notice the correlation? That’s right – there IS NO correlation. All that one can say is that basically, the countries that bike a lot are not on the list of fattest countries.
With the notable exception of Germany. Germany is the really annoying anomaly here. How does Germany manage to have the fourth highest rate of cycling, and yet also be the fourth fattest country? Way to mess up my theory, guys!
But not to worry, because I have a theory to account for this. It’s probably the ridiculously yummy pretzels. And the yummy bratwurst. And of course, enormous quantities of BEER!
Seriously though, Germany notwithstanding, the point seems clear: if you cycle a lot, you are less likely to be obese.
Apart from my carefully researched correlations, there’s also a group of researchers who studied the correlation between active transportation (cycling, walking, transit) and obesity, and found that:
“Walking and bicycling are much more common in European nations than in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The current study shows that there is an inverse association between active transportation and obesity rates in these countries.”
They also concluded that:
“Studies conducted in Sweden, the United States, and Australia have found that individuals who perform active transportation have a decreased odds ratio of obesity.”
In English: people who bike or walk a lot are much less likely to be fat.
Good enough for me. I’m going to keep on cycling!
And here’s a post on Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist’s very successful weight loss with cycling.
Check Out Our Most Popular Posts! | ||
| ||
Did you enjoy this post or find it helpful? If so, please support our blog! We write this blog because we love cycling. But we also need to earn a living, so we REALLY would appreciate if you click through to one of our reputable affiliates for your online shopping. We are proudly affiliated with Amazon, which sells pretty much everything, and has outstanding shipping and return policies. For your cycling and athletic shopping needs, we are also affiliated to AMAIN Cycling, Competitive Cyclist, Bike Wagon, Raleigh Bicycles, Jenson USA, REI Co-op, Backcountry, Commuter Bike Store, and Moosejaw. When you buy from our affiliates we make a small commission, and this is the only way we earn any income. Plus, it costs you nothing at all - a real win/win situation! | ||
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
I still have my doubts about Germany. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone who is obese in Germany.
My only theory on Germany is the top cycling cities (Berlin, Munich, Munster, Bremen) have extremely low rates of obesity, which is why they appear more fit.
I’m also surprised Canada isn’t in the top 10…I can only assume we are at 11 or 12.
Yes, perhaps the obesity in Germany is in the poorer, provincial areas – obesity is often associated with relative poverty. But I agree, Germany is the surprise there.
The great thing about exercise is that most people get major benefit from only a moderate amount. I lost 40 lbs training for a 10k run. I worked my way up to 42 km, I only lost another 4 or 5.
It doesn’t actually take much work to get huge benefits.
I agree, Rob. I think if more people got this, there’d be many more fit people.
Interesting….although not really all that suprising. I am trying my own project to see the ratio of fast food places per 1000 humans and how that lines up with the obesity rankings.
Hi Gene! Interesting idea – I look forward to your findings. Congrats on being appointed the 2011 American Diabetes Michigan Tour de Cure Adult Advocate. I tried to comment, but could not find the button. Is it gone, or have I gone blind?