Associations of economic and gender inequality with global obesity prevalence: Understanding the female excess

► Surveys in 68 countries indicate a substantial global 'excess' of obesity in women, with 3 obese women for every 2 obese men. ► The global distribution of this 'excess' female obesity is associated with indices of wealth and gender inequality. ► Even in a subset of affluent European countries, wealth and gender inequality are associated with 'excess' female obesity.