Albania
Upper-middle income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *7.5/10This 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 *6.5/11This 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).
Report cards
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Population breakdowns
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.Breastfeeding
Unaffordable diet
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 16+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Eurostat 2022 Data. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch10/default/table?lang=en (last accessed 19.03.25) |
| Notes: | EUROSTAT 2022 data derived from EU statistics on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) survey which includes adults aged 16+ years. This differs from most EUROSTAT data which is derived from the Health Interview Surveys, which includes adults aged 15+ years (though sometimes only data from adults aged 18+ reported) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2017-2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-59 |
| Sample size: | 20053 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Institute of Statistics, Institute of Public Health, and ICF. 2018. Albania Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18. Tirana, Albania: Institute of Statistics, Institute of Public Health, and ICF. https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR348/FR348.pdf |
| Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59. 14226 Women (Aged 15-59)5827 Men (Aged 15-59) NB. Combined adult data estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female 2019 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 30.09.20) |
| 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: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 10302 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Institute of Statistics, Institute of Public Health/Albania and ICF Macro. 2010. Albania Demographic and Health Survey 2008-09. Tirana, Albania: Institute of Statistics, Institute of Public Health/Albania and ICF Macro. |
| Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2022-2024
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 8 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI): A brief review of results from round 6 of COSI (2022-2024). Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2024. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
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, 2015-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 8 |
| Sample size: | 3381 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | COSI 2015-7. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/341189/WHO-EURO-2021-2495-42251-58349-eng.pdf (Accessed 20.7.21) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-9 |
| Sample size: | 5810 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Hyska J, Mersini E, Mone I, Burazeri G.Prevalence and demographic correlates of overweight and obesity among children in a transitional southeastern European population.J Community Health. 2014 Oct;39(5):828-34. doi: 10.1007/s10900-014-9888-9. |
| Notes: | NB. Combined child data estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female 2019 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 21.10.20)' |
| Definitions: | IOTF Cut Off - WHO also available in original source |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2012-2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 8 |
| Sample size: | 3312 |
| 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 III (2012-2013) |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2001
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 2-16 |
| Sample size: | 1120 |
| Area covered: | Sub National |
| References: | Shapo L, Pomerleau J, McKee M, Coker R, & Ylli A. Body weight patterns in a country in transition: a population-based survey in Tirana City, Albania. Public Health Nutrition 2003; 6(5): 471–477 |
| Notes: | Sub National It was noted that the final sample tended to be slightly older than the reference population |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
0-5 years, 2017-2018
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2299 |
| References: | DHS: Albania Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18. Tirana, Albania: Institute of Statistics, Institute of Public Health, and ICF |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2008-2009
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1335 |
| References: | DHS: Albania demographic and health survey 2008-09. Demographic and Health Surveys. Tirana, Albania: Institute of Statistics, Institute of Public Health and ICF Macro, 2010 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2005
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1075 |
| References: | MICS: Albania multiple indicator cluster survey 2005, final report. Tirana, Albania: Albanian National Institute of Statistics, 2008 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
