The 2008 global recession, considered to be one of the most severe economic crises that affected many countries worldwide, apparently had a negative effective on the health of people in rich nations as obesity rates were found to have increased in many developed countries over the past five years of economic downturn.

Obesity is a risk factor for a number of physical and mental health problems such as osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, colorectal cancer, high blood pressure and depression. Obesity is also a leading cause of type 2 diabetes, which is further linked to a myriad of other health complications and early death.

An economic report released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) which will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Bulgaria on May 28, shows that the obesity rate has climbed by up to 3 percent in Australia, Switzerland, France and Mexico but remained fairly stable or only grown moderately in Unites States, Canada, England, Italy, Korea and Spain.

The economic crisis is seen to have contributed to the increased prevalence of obesity in affected countries as families that were hit by the recession reduced their spending. With a tighter food budget, families switched from healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables to cheaper but less healthy foods. Lack of work also seemed to have caused unemployed individuals to live a sedentary life as they were found to be physically inactive, a factor for weight problems.

"Regardless of their income or wealth, people who experience periods of financial hardship are at increased risk of obesity, and the increase is greater for more severe and recurrent hardship," the report reads. "The evidence of a possible impact of the economic crisis on obesity points rather consistently to a likely increase in body weight and obesity."

The OECD report also showed that certain groups of people were likely to be obese, such as those with less education and those with lower socio-economic status. One in five children in OECD countries was also found to be either obese or overweight but the prevalence is worse in Greece, Italy, Slovenia and the United States, where the childhood obesity rate is one in three children.

The report also noted the growing prevalence of obesity in OECD areas as 18 percent of adults are now considered obese, which is several times higher than the rate before 1980, when fewer than than one in 10 people were considered obese.