Meat consumption providing a surplus energy in modern diet contributes to obesity prevalence: an ecological analysis

Table 3 Correlation of meat availability to three variables defined by BMI in different country groupings

Country groupings	BMI ≥30	BMI ≥25	BMI, Mean
Worldwide (n = 167)	0.666^***	0.800^***	0.656^***
World Bank income classifications
Low (n = 31)	0.167	0.254	0.196
Low middle (n = 41)	0.439^**	0.537^***	0.465^**
Upper middle (n = 47)	0.167	0.149	0.209
High (n = 48)	0.241	0.631^***	0.288^*
WHO regions
AFRO (n = 40)	0.585^***	0.612^*	0.552^***
AMRO (n = 35)	0.671^***	0.606^***	0.546^***
EMRO (n = 15)	0.857^***	0.879^***	0.634^*
EURO (n = 50)	0.429^**	0.751^***	0.128
SEARO (n = 10)	−0.267	−0.097	0.322
WPRO (n = 17)	0.309	0.478	0.447
Countries grouped based on various factors
APEC (n = 17)	0.773^***	0.858^***	0.789^***
Arab World (n = 13)	0.687^**	0.687^**	0.426
LAC (n = 26)	0.609^***	0.519^**	0.487^**
OECD (n = 34)	0.243	0.607^***	0.285
SADC (n = 14)	0.890^***	0.952^***	0.802^***
ACD (n = 26)	0.593^***	0.720^***	0.707^***
LA (n = 20)	0.557^*	0.675^***	0.433

Spearman’s rho of correlation is reported. Number of countries included in the analysis range from 161 to 170. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001
BMI ≥ 30 and BMI ≥ 25 are percentages of defined population with a body mass index (BMI) of no less than 30 kg/m2 and 25 kg/m2 respectively. BMI mean is the mean body mass index (BMI) in kg/m2 of defined population
Availabilities of food types (meat, fats, fruits, fibers and starch) and macronutrients (meat protein, animal protein (excl. meat protein), plant protein, animal fats, plant fats and carbohydrates) are expressed in g/capita/day

ISSN: 2055-0928