Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Whole Body / General594 citations
Wang Y, Liu X, Zhang Y, Wan B, Zhang J, He W, Hu D, Yang Y, Lai J, He M, Chen C
No Effects Found
Authors not listed · 2019
Global obesity rise is driven more by rural than urban BMI increases, challenging assumptions about modern health epidemics.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
This major global study analyzed BMI data from over 112 million adults across 2,009 studies from 1985 to 2017, examining urban versus rural obesity trends. Contrary to popular belief, the research found that more than 55% of the global rise in BMI was actually due to increases in rural areas, not cities. The findings challenge the widespread assumption that urbanization is the primary driver of the global obesity epidemic.
Cite This Study
Unknown (2019). Wang Y, Liu X, Zhang Y, Wan B, Zhang J, He W, Hu D, Yang Y, Lai J, He M, Chen C.
Show BibTeX
@article{wang_y_liu_x_zhang_y_wan_b_zhang_j_he_w_hu_d_yang_y_lai_j_he_m_chen_c_ce4255,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Wang Y, Liu X, Zhang Y, Wan B, Zhang J, He W, Hu D, Yang Y, Lai J, He M, Chen C},
year = {2019},
doi = {10.1038/s41586-019-1171-x},
}Quick Questions About This Study
The study found rural BMI increased at the same rate or faster than urban areas in low- and middle-income regions, likely due to changing food systems, reduced physical activity, and modernization reaching rural communities over the 32-year study period.
Low- and middle-income regions showed the most dramatic rural BMI increases, with more than 80% of BMI rise in some areas attributed to rural populations rather than urban dwellers, particularly affecting women.
More than 55% of the global rise in mean BMI from 1985 to 2017 was due to increases in rural areas, not cities, based on data from over 112 million adults across 2,009 population studies.
Yes, the BMI gap between urban and rural areas closed significantly in low- and middle-income countries from 1985 to 2017, with some countries showing complete reversal where rural BMI now exceeds urban BMI, especially for women.
High-income and industrialized countries showed persistently higher rural BMI throughout the study period, especially for women, suggesting different patterns of obesity development compared to developing nations where rural areas caught up to cities.