The Island Where 95% of People Are Overweight

This tiny island nation in the Pacific is one of the most isolated places on Earth. :globe_showing_Europe-Africa:

Nauru receives fewer than 200 tourists a year, making it the least visited country in the world. But it also holds another shocking record — over 90% of its population is overweight or obese, and more than 40% suffer from type 2 diabetes.

Once one of the richest countries per capita due to phosphate mining, Nauru’s landscape was heavily damaged after decades of resource extraction. Most of the island became barren, farming disappeared, and today nearly all food has to be imported.

Because fresh food is extremely expensive, many residents rely on cheap processed and frozen foods. Over time, this drastic dietary shift has created one of the world’s most severe health crises.

Despite its challenges, Nauru still has beautiful coastlines, turquoise waters, and a unique story that few people in the world have ever seen.