Economic progress gives countries greater access to cheaper, refined foods which have lower nutritional value.
Obesity policymakers place too much emphasis on exercise, smoking and weight loss, and not on complex biological and cultural factors, says a New Zealand-led paper.
The commentary paper co-authored by the Prime Minister's chief science adviser, Prof Sir Peter Gluckman, urges politicians and scientists to see the bigger picture in their attempts to stem rising epidemics of obesity worldwide.
The paper, which is aimed at the treatment of obesity in poorer countries, is published today in the journal Science Translational Magazine.
Prof Gluckman and colleagues wrote that wealthy nations' failure to lower obesity rates and its related disorders was partly because of the focus on changing adult lifestyles - banning tobacco, and encouraging exercise and weight loss.
The authors emphasised this limited prescription must not be naively passed on to poorer countries, which are experiencing alarming increases in obesity.
"It is crucial that we apply lessons from the failure of wealthy countries to curb obesity and not extend ineffective strategies to the developing world," the article said.
Prof Gluckman said the capacity for developing countries to deal with people who had already been diagnosed with obesity-related disorders was limited. He said more emphasis should be placed on the biological drivers of obesity.
"The more and more we look, the more we realise that there are fundamental differences in biology which determine whether you are going to get diabetes or not, which are set up in early life."
The paper said there was compelling evidence, during development, an embryo, fetus or infant took cues from its environment to set patterns of metabolism or energy use in later life, and that these contributed to its body type.
In April, the Liggins Institute contributed to breakthrough research which showed a pregnant mother's diet could alter her future child's DNA, potentially determining whether they will grow up to be obese.
Prof Gluckman said these biological factors needed to be viewed alongside cultural perceptions in poorer countries.
The paper cited a number of complex cultural factors, including populations and individuals showing contrasting patterns of fat deposition.
The ideal body shape was different depending on cultural and social influences. And symptoms of obesity were slow to develop, making it difficult for people to commit money to unseen problems.
The authors also noted economic transition towards affluence often gave poorer countries more access to junk food, which was cheaper than high-quality fresh foods.
The paper's publication was timed to provide information for a United Nations General Assembly meeting in September, which will address the burden of obesity on poorer countries.
"If the UN summit were to adopt such a translational agenda, we may see enhanced progress in efforts to reduce the burden of obesity-associated diseases, especially in countries that are undergoing socioeconomic transitions," the paper said.
"However, if the outcome of the summit is merely to reiterate the catechism of weight loss, exercise and smoking cessation in adults, we fear that an important opportunity will have been lost."
