Belgium
- 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).
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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Drivers
Insufficient activity
Sugar consumption
Soft drink consumption
Confectionery consumption
Sweet/savoury snack consumption
Fruit consumption
Processed meat consumption
Grains consumption
Depression
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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+ |
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, 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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
% Adults living with obesity, 2000-2019
Women
Survey type: | Self-reported |
References: | 2000: 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: 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 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: | 2000: 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: 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 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 overweight or obesity, 2000-2019
Men
Survey type: | Self-reported |
References: | 2000: 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: Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&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. |
Women
Survey type: | Self-reported |
References: | 2000: 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: Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&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. |