Portugal
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *7/10This 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 *7.5/11This 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).
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Insufficient activity
Sugar consumption
Soft drink consumption
Confectionery consumption
Sweet/savoury snack 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
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Sample size: | 14,617 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Instituto Nacional De Estatistica (2019) Inquérito Nacional de Saúde 2019. Data available from spreadsheet at: https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_destaques&DESTAQUESdest_boui=414434213&DESTAQUESmodo=2&xlang=pt. Last accessed: 01.06.21. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
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. | |
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | 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. | |
Adults, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-74 |
| Sample size: | 4819 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Gaio, V. et al. (2017) 'Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portugal: Results from the First Portuguese Health Examination Survey (INSEF 2015)', Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, ISSN 1871-403X. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2017.08.002 (Accessed: 7 November 2017). |
| Notes: | (2236 Male and 2583 Female) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2015-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 3281 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Oliveira A, Araújo J, Severo M, Correia D, Ramos E, Torres D, Lopes C, The IAN-AF Consortium (2018). Prevalence of general and abdominal obesity in Portugal: comprehensive results from the National Food, nutrition and physical activity survey 2015–2016. BMC Public Health, 18, 614. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
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. | |
Adults, 2008-2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 6906 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sardinha LB, Santos DA, Silva AM, Coelho-e-Silva MJ, Raimundo AM, Moreira H, et al. (2012) Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Abdominal Obesity in a Representative Sample of Portuguese Adults. PLoS ONE 7(10): e47883. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0047883 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2003-2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 8116 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | do Carmo I, dos Santos O, Camolas J, Vieira J, Carreira M, Medina L, Reis L, Myatt J, & Galvão-Teles A. Overweight and obesity in Portugal: national prevalence in 2003–2005. Obesity Reviews 2007; 9:11-19. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1999
| 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. | |
Adults, 1995-1998
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 4328 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | L do Caromo et al. Overweight and obesity in Portugal. Obesity Reviews 2008;9:11-19 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
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 |
Children, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-8 |
| Sample size: | 7,210 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | COSI Portugal 2019. Available at: http://www.ceidss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COSI-2019_-FactSheet.pdf. Last accessed: 18.05.21. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2018-2020
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7 |
| Sample size: | 3495 |
| 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 |
Children, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-8 |
| Sample size: | 2828 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | COSI Portugal 2016. Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. Available from: http://repositorio.insa.pt/bitstream/10400.18/4857/8/COSI%202016_V2_fev2018.pdf [Accessed 15 April 2019]. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2013-2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-13 |
| Sample size: | 7624 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Camarinha B, et al. Prevalence of pre-obesity/obesity in pre and basic school children at Vila Nova de Gaia, Acta Med Port 2016 Jan;29(1):31-40 |
| Notes: | Region - Vila Nova de Gaia 2009 national data for children is available in the trend section of these maps. International IOTF cut off points shown CDC & WHO cut off available |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 3-10 |
| Sample size: | 17277 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | GAMA AUGUSTA, ROSADO-MARQUES VÍTOR, MACHADO-RODRIGUES ARISTIDES M., NOGUEIRA HELENA, MOURÃO ISABEL, PADEZ CRISTINA. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 3-to-10-year-old children: assessment of different cut-off criteria WHO-IOTF. An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc. [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Sep 09] ; 92( 2 ): e20190449. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0001-37652020000300907&lng=en. Epub Aug 07, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202020190449. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2008
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-8 |
| Sample size: | 3765 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Rito, A., Wijnhoven, T. M. A., Rutter, H., Carvalho, M. A., Paixão, E., Ramos, C., Claudio, D., Espanca, R., Sancho, T., Cerqueira, Z., Carvalho, R., Faria, C., Feliciano, E. and Breda, J. (2012), Prevalence of obesity among Portuguese children (6–8 years old) using three definition criteria: COSI Portugal, 2008. Pediatric Obesity. doi: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00068.x |
| Notes: | IOTF International Cut off - other cut off points available |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2008
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 10-18 |
| Sample size: | 22048 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | SARDINHA, L. B., SANTOS, R., VALE, S., SILVA, A. M., FERREIRA, J. P., RAIMUNDO, A. M., MOREIRA, H., BAPTISTA, F. and MOTA, J. (2011), Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Portuguese youth: A study in a representative sample of 10–18-year-old children and adolescents. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 6: e124–e128. doi: 10.3109/17477166.2010.490263 |
| Notes: | IOTF International Cut off Points. Cole et al 2000 |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2007-2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 8 |
| Sample size: | 6262 |
| 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, II and III (2007 - 2013) IOTF cut-offs used. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2002-2003
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-9 |
| Sample size: | 4508 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Padez C, Fernandes T, Mourao I, Moreira P, Rosado V. Prevalence of overweight an dobesity in 7-9 year old Portuguese Children:Trends in body mass index from 1970-2002. American Journal of Human Biology 2004;16:670-678 |
| 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 |
% Adults living with obesity, 1995-2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1995: L do Caromo et al. Overweight and obesity in Portugal. Obesity Reviews 2008;9:11-19 2008: Sardinha LB, Santos DA, Silva AM, Coelho-e-Silva MJ, Raimundo AM, Moreira H, et al. (2012) Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Abdominal Obesity in a Representative Sample of Portuguese Adults. PLoS ONE 7(10): e47883. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0047883 2015: Gaio, V. et al. (2017) 'Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portugal: Results from the First Portuguese Health Examination Survey (INSEF 2015)', Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, ISSN 1871-403X. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2017.08.002 (Accessed: 7 November 2017). |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity, 1995-2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1995: L do Caromo et al. Overweight and obesity in Portugal. Obesity Reviews 2008;9:11-19 2008: Sardinha LB, Santos DA, Silva AM, Coelho-e-Silva MJ, Raimundo AM, Moreira H, et al. (2012) Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Abdominal Obesity in a Representative Sample of Portuguese Adults. PLoS ONE 7(10): e47883. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0047883 2015: Gaio, V. et al. (2017) 'Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portugal: Results from the First Portuguese Health Examination Survey (INSEF 2015)', Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, ISSN 1871-403X. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2017.08.002 (Accessed: 7 November 2017). |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Children living with overweight or obesity, 2016-2020
Boys
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2016: COSI Portugal 2016. Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. Available from: http://repositorio.insa.pt/bitstream/10400.18/4857/8/COSI%202016_V2_fev2018.pdf [Accessed 15 April 2019]. 2018: 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. 2019: COSI Portugal 2019. Available at: http://www.ceidss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COSI-2019_-FactSheet.pdf. Last accessed: 18.05.21. |
| Definitions: | WHO |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Girls
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2016: COSI Portugal 2016. Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. Available from: http://repositorio.insa.pt/bitstream/10400.18/4857/8/COSI%202016_V2_fev2018.pdf [Accessed 15 April 2019]. 2018: 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. 2019: COSI Portugal 2019. Available at: http://www.ceidss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COSI-2019_-FactSheet.pdf. Last accessed: 18.05.21. |
| Definitions: | WHO |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Boys and girls
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2016: COSI Portugal 2016. Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. Available from: http://repositorio.insa.pt/bitstream/10400.18/4857/8/COSI%202016_V2_fev2018.pdf [Accessed 15 April 2019]. 2018: 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. 2019: COSI Portugal 2019. Available at: http://www.ceidss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COSI-2019_-FactSheet.pdf. Last accessed: 18.05.21. |
| Definitions: | WHO |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity, 1999-2019
Women
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 1999: 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) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: 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) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Men
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 1999: 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) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: 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) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with obesity, 1999-2019
Women
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 1999: 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) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: 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) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Men
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 1999: 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) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: 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) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
