• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Trends over time
  • Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *5.5/10This 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 *7/11This 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

Sugar consumption

Soft drink consumption

Confectionery consumption

Sweet/savoury snack consumption

Fruit 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, 2018

Survey type:Measured
Age:18+
Sample size:1152
Area covered:National
References:Belgium Health Examination Survey 2018. J. Van der Heyden, D. Nguyen, F. Renard, A. Scohy, S. Demarest, S. Drieskens, L. Gisle. Enquête de santé par examen belge. Bruxelles, Belgique : Sciensano ; Numéro de rapport : D/2019/14.440/90. Disponible en ligne : www.enquetesante.be
Notes:These results from smaller measured survey l (n=1152 measured) a larger self report survey also available n=9295
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:EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en
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: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, 2002-2004

Survey type:Measured
Age:18-75
Sample size:5170
Area covered:National
References:Duvigneaud N, Wijndaele K, Matton L, Deriemaeker P, Philippaerts R, Lefevre J, Thomis M, & Duquet W. Prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity in Flemish adults. Archives of Public Health 2006; 64: 123-42.
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, 1994-1997

Survey type:Measured
Age:35-59
Sample size:21356
References:Backer Guy de. De xwaarlijvige Belgen: met hoeveel zijn ze? De Eetrbrief. Feb. 2000 (No. 70):1-3
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, 1979-1984

Survey type:Measured
Age:25-74
Sample size:11080
Area covered:National
References:Stam-Moraga MC, Kolanowski J, Dramaix M, De Backer G, Kornitzer MD Sociodemographic and nutritional determinants of obesity in Belgium. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1999 Feb;23 Suppl 1:1-9
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, 2018

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:2-17
References:S. Drieskens, R. Charafeddine, L. Gisle : Enquête de santé 2018 : Etat nutritionnel. Bruxelles, Belgique :Sciensano ; Numéro de rapport : D/2019/14.440/62. Disponible en ligne : www.enquetesante.be
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)'
Cutoffs:IOTF
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Children, 2012

Survey type:Measured
Age:3-6
Sample size:1327
Area covered:Regional
References:Manios, Y. et al. (2018). Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of overweight and obesity in a large Pan-European cohort of preschool children and their families: The ToyBox-study. Nutrition. 55-56, pp.1-7.
Notes:Subnational-Ghent
Cutoffs:IOTF
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Children, 2010

Survey type:Measured
Age:10-12
Sample size:1003
Area covered:Regional
References:Brug J, van Stralen MM, te Velde SJ, Chinapaw MJM, De Bourdeaudhuij I, et al. (2012) Differences in Weight Status and Energy-Balance Related Behaviors among Schoolchildren across Europe: The ENERGY-Project. PLoS ONE 7(4): e34742. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0034742
Cutoffs:IOTF
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Children, 2008

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-9
Sample size:Not specified
References:Wijnhoven TMA, van Raaij JMA, Spinelli A et al WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Inititiative 2008: weight, height and body mass index in 6-9 year old children. Pediatric Obesity 2012
Cutoffs:IOTF
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Children, 2007-2013

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-9
Sample size:397,209
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)
Cutoffs:IOTF
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Children, 1998-1999

Survey type:Measured
Age:7-8
Sample size:9487
Area covered:Regional
References:Massa G. Body mass index measurements and prevalence of overweight and obesity in school-children living in the province of Belgian Limburg. European Journal of Pediatrics 2002;161:343-346
Definitions:Please see paper for details on child cut-off points
Cutoffs:Other
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Boys, 1969-1974

Survey type:Measured
Age:15
Sample size:21000
References:Hulens M, Beunen G, Claessens AL, Lefevre J, Thomis M, Philippaerts R, Borms J, Vrijens J, Lysens R, Vansant G. Trends in BMI among Belgian children, adolescents and adults from 1969 to 1996. International Journal of Obesity 2001;25:395-399.
Definitions:See paper for cut-off point details
Cutoffs:Other
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