Adults aged ≥ 15 years who are obese (percentage)
Rationale for use
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults has been increasing globally. Obese adults (BMI ≥ 30.0) are at increased risk of adverse metabolic outcomes including increased blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin resistance. Subsequently, an increase in BMI exponentially increases the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as coronary heart disease, ischaemic stroke and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Raised BMI is also associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Definition
Percentage of adults classified as obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m²) among total adult population (15 years and older).
Associated terms
Adult overweight (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2)
Pre-obese (BMI 25.00-29.99 kg/m2)
Obesity (BMI ≥ 30.00 kg/m2)
Data sources
Nationally representative household surveys, including Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).
Methods of estimation
Estimates are still under development. Only nationally representative surveys with either anthropometric data collection or self-reported weight and height (mostly in high-income countries) are included in the 2008 World Health Statistics.
Disaggregation
By sex, age, location (urban/rural, major regions/provinces).
References
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Physical status: the use and interpretation of anthropometry
Physical status: the use and interpretation of anthropometry. Report of a WHO Expert Committee. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1995. (WHO Technical Report Series 854). -
Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic
Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO Consultation. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2000. (WHO Technical Report Series 894). -
Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies
World Health Organization. Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies. The Lancet, 2004; 363: 157-163.
Database
Comments
The household surveys focus on different age ranges and sometimes on select samples (such as women of reproductive ages who have a child under five years of age), which affects comparability. Also, self-reported height and weight information are more likely to have problems than measured adult BMI. The existing data are under review and estimation methods are being developed. It is expected that a new set of data and metadata, and eventually estimates, will replace the currently available information.