• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Trends over time
  • Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *6.5/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *8/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
* Based on estimated data. For more information see Publications

Obesity prevalence

Trends over time

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Population breakdowns

By education

By age

By region

By socio-economic group

Limited activity

Drivers

Insufficient activity

Soft drink consumption

Fruit consumption

Vegetable consumption

Processed meat consumption

Grains consumption

Depression

Anxiety

Roots of obesity »

Like all chronic diseases, the root causes/drivers of obesity are complex. Select here to view 'other' root causes/drivers.

Comorbidities

Oesophageal cancer

Breast cancer

Colorectal cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Gallbladder cancer

Kidney cancer

Cancer of the uterus

Raised blood pressure

Raised cholesterol

Raised fasting blood glucose

Diabetes prevalence

Economic impact

Economic impact

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Policies

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Contextual factors

Contextual factors

Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2019

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:18+
Area covered:National
References:Eurostat 2019. Data available at https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1i&lang=en (last accessed 09.08.21)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Adults, 2017

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:18+
Area covered:National
References:2017 - EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Adults, 2014-2016

Survey type:Measured
Age:18-70
Sample size:3947
Area covered:National
References:Cuschieri, S., Vassallo, J., Calleja, N., Camilleri, R., Borg, A., Bonnici, G., Zhang, Y., Pace, N., and Mamo, J. (2016) Prevalence of obesity in Malta. Obesity Science & Practice, doi: 10.1002/osp4.77.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Adults, 2014

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:18+
Area covered:National
References:2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Adults, 2000-2003

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:15+
Area covered:National
References:Eurostat Yearbook 2006/07. A goldmine of statistical information. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/5059290/1-20022007-BP-EN.PDF.pdf/edab8c31-b9f3-4c8e-b4db-4137bd045efa?t=1414683510000 (last accessed 04.11.21)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Adults, 1984

Survey type:Measured
Age:25-64
References:Personal Communication from Dr A Robertson WHO Europe. MONICA Data originally provided by Health Promotion Department, 1 Crucifix Hill, Floriana, Malta
Notes:NB 2008 Self Report available
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Children, 2021-2022

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13
References:Rakic JG, Hamrik Z, Dzielska A, Felder-Puig R, Oja L, Bakalár P et al. A focus on adolescent physical activity, eating behaviours, weight status and body image in Europe, central Asia and Canada. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) international report from the 2021/2022 survey. Volume 4. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2024. 'Any translation was not created by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO is not responsible for the content or accuracy of this translation. The original English edition shall be the binding and authentic edition'
Notes:HBSC aims to survey approximately 1500 pupils per age group in each country or region (totaling around 4500)
Cutoffs:+2SD
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Children, 2018-2020

Survey type:Measured
Age:7
Sample size:2683
Area covered:National
References:Report on the fifth round of data collection, 2018–2020: WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2022. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Cutoffs:WHO 2007
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Children, 2016-2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:4-17
Sample size:41,747
Area covered:National
References:Grech, V, Aquilina, S, Camilleri, E, Spiteri, K, Busuttil, M.L, Sant’Angelo, JJV.F and Calleja. N (2017) The Malta Childhood National Body Mass Index Study: A Population Study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 65(3), pp. 327-331.
Notes:Year of survey was not in paper but contact author provided conformation.
Cutoffs:WHO
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Children, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Age:7
Sample size:2784
Area covered:National
References:Report on the fourth round of data collection, 2015–2017: WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI).
Cutoffs:WHO
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Children, 2012

Survey type:Measured
Age:10-11
Sample size:874
Area covered:National
References:Decelis, A., Fox, K. and Jago, R. (2013), Prevalence of obesity among 10–11-year-old Maltese children using four established standards. Pediatric Obesity. doi: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2013.00191.x
Notes:IOTF Cut off
Cutoffs:IOTF
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Children, 2007

Survey type:Measured
Age:5-6
Sample size:3461
Area covered:Regional
References:Grech V and Sant Angelo VF. (2009). Body mass index estimation in a school-entry aged cohort in Malta. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 4: 126 - 128.
Notes:IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3.
Cutoffs:IOTF
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Children, 2007-2013

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-7
Sample size:6458
Area covered:National
References:Spinelli et al (2019). 'Childhood Severe Obesity in Europe', Obes Facts.12, pp. 244–258. (Data from COSI round 1-3)
Notes:NOTE - this data is from COSI round I - III (2007 - 2013) IOTF cut-offs used.
Cutoffs:IOTF
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