Australia and New Zealand are still among the fattest nations in the world. According to a United Nations report, the Australasian countries have once again reached the top five of world's most obese and populous nations, with Mexico and United States leading the fat race.

Just like last year, Australia remains at fifth place with 24.6% of its population considered obese, while New Zealand is still at third with 26.5%.

There's no surprise there as the two neighbouring countries have done little movement in the chart in the past years.

However, it's worth noting that the United States, which had held the title of the most obese among populous countries for a long time, has now passed the torch to Mexico.

According to the report, which was conducted by the United Nations, its southern neighbour is the new country with the most number of overweight residents. Mexico was previously only second to the U.S. About 70% of adults in Mexico are considered overweight, while 32.8% are considered obese.

So how did Mexico surpass its heavyweight counterpart?

According to the Daily Mail, it managed to nab the unwanted title with a combination of a few factors, including poverty and expensive healthy food.

With nearly 50% of the country's population are considered poor and the rich have already turned to healthier lifestyles, it is the malnourished that are becoming obese.

"The same people who are malnourished are the ones who are becoming obese," physician Abelardo Avila was quoted by the paper as saying. "In the poor classes we have obese and malnourished children. The worst thing is the children are becoming programmed for obesity. It's a very serious epidemic."

A resident, Sally Neiman who has lived in the country for 20 years, explained further, "Because of a lack of money and food, people go for more energy-intense foods. These are often high in sugar or fat. People drink Coca-Cola as if it was water in order to have the energy to carry on - and so many of the foods are rich in carbs, are full of cheese or are fried.

"There is no control in schools to what kids eat these days, it is normal to see a kid having a soda for breakfast and eating 'comida chatarra' (junk food), it is allowed to be sold in schools."

Healthier food in Mexico tend to be pricier as well for the poor and working class; hence, they choose the heavier yet cheaper food.

The U.S. is still at close second with 31.8% of its population considered obese.

Top 10 Obese Countries:

1. Mexico (32.8%)

2. United States (31.8%)

3. New Zealand (26.5%)

4. Chile (25.1%)

5. Australia (24.6%)

6. Canada (24.2%)

7. United Kingdom (23%)

8. Ireland (23%)

9. Luxembourg (22.1%)

10. Finland (20.2%)