Abstract
Obesity prevalence varies widely across countries, as does the difference in prevalence between the sexes. To explore the relationship between obesity prevalence in female and male adults across different countries and country level food supply data, we used country level obesity prevalence data from the WHO, and food supply data from FAO to fit multiple regression models. In males both absolute fat and sugar energy supply were associated with obesity prevalence. However, in females only absolute sugar supply was significant. In both sexes relative fat and sugar energy supply (as a % of the overall energy) were significant predictors of obesity prevalence. Protein supply whether expressed as absolute or % of energy was unrelated to obesity prevalence in both sexes. Similarly, neither absolute nor relative carbohydrate energy supply was associated with obesity prevalence in either sex. Absolute fat and sugar energy supply were significant predictors of sex difference in obesity prevalence. These data suggest country level energy supplies of both sugar and fat play important roles in obesity prevalence globally, but to different extents in males and females.