The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that is concerned with international public health. It stays up to date when it comes to all health-related topics. 

According to WHO's most recent report, the World Health Observatory, the world obesity level has tripled since 1975.

The prevalence of these high numbers has been most noticeable in the Arab region, where nine countries ranked highest in the obesity statistics among adults aged 18 and above. The report's time series chart compares the data collected from 1975 to 2016. 

The organization defines overweight and obesity through body mass index (BMI) for weight-for-height, where for adults, "overweight is a BMI greater than or equal to 25, and obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30."

Here are the region's highest-ranking countries (from lowest to highest):

8. Iraq (30.4 percent)

iraq, baghdad, obesity,
Source: Naharnet.com

7. UAE (31.7 percent)

uae, obesity,
Source: Pulitzer Center

6. Egypt and Lebanon (32 percent each)

5. Libya (32.5 percent)

libyan food, libya, obesity,
Source: Npr

4. Qatar (35.1 percent)

qatar, obesity
From the Qatari Ministry of Public Health Ad Source: DohaNews

3. Saudi Arabia (35.4 percent)

mcdonalds, saudi arabia, obesity,
Source: Blogpost/susiesbigadventure

2. Jordan (35.5 percent)

jordan, food,
Source: discoverycircletours

1. Kuwait (37.9 percent)

Kuwait, WHO, obesity
Source: nutraingredients