Bhutan
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Economic impact
- Policies
- 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 *4.5/11This 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).
* Based on estimated data. For more information see Publications
Obesity prevalence
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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
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-69 |
| Sample size: | 5575 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, (2020). Non-communicable disease Risk Factors: Bhutan STEPS Survey 2019, Thimphu. . https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/855/download/6027 (Accessed11.05.21) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-69 |
| Sample size: | 2822 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | STEPS |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2007
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 2071 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | STEPS Bhutan 2009, available at https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/738/related-materials (last accessed 24.09.21) |
| Notes: | Thimphu |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2016
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 7576 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/Bhutan_gshs_fs_2016.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 24.11.20) |
| Notes: | WHO cutoffs. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 5863 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Bhutan Multiple Indicator Survey, May 2011, National Statistics Bureau, Thimphu, Bhutan. https://mics-surveys-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/MICS4/South%20Asia/Bhutan/2010/Final/Bhutan%202010%20MICS_English.pdf (Accessed 28.06.21) |
| Notes: | Infants. |
| Definitions: | Weight for height. Overweight or obesity = >+2SD |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Overweight/obesity by education
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-69 |
| Sample size: | 5575 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, (2020). Non-communicable disease Risk Factors: Bhutan STEPS Survey 2019, Thimphu. . https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/855/download/6027 (Accessed11.05.21) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 5575 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, (2020). Non-communicable disease Risk Factors: Bhutan STEPS Survey 2019, Thimphu. . https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/855/download/6027 (Accessed11.05.21) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2007
| Sample size: | 2431 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | STEPS Bhutan 2009, available at https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/738/related-materials (last accessed 24.09.21) |
| Notes: | Thimphu |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 7576 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | 2016 GSHS Fact Sheet Bhutan. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/bhutan/gshs/bhutan-gshs-fs-2016.pdf?sfvrsn=f2d3541d_2&download=true |
| Cutoffs: | BMI-for-age |
Overweight/obesity by region
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-69 |
| Sample size: | 5575 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, (2020). Non-communicable disease Risk Factors: Bhutan STEPS Survey 2019, Thimphu. . https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/855/download/6027 (Accessed11.05.21) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Boys, 2016
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 7576 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | World Health Organization. Global school-based student health survey (GSHS). Available from: https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/factsheets/en/. [Accessed 20 February 2019]. |
| Notes: | WHO cut-offs used and based on Self-reported data. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Girls, 2016
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 7576 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | World Health Organization. Global school-based student health survey (GSHS). Available from: https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/factsheets/en/. [Accessed 20 February 2019]. |
| Notes: | WHO cut-offs used and based on Self-reported data. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 5863 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Bhutan Multiple Indicator Survey, May 2011, National Statistics Bureau, Thimphu, Bhutan. https://mics-surveys-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/MICS4/South%20Asia/Bhutan/2010/Final/Bhutan%202010%20MICS_English.pdf (Accessed 28.06.21) |
| Notes: | Infants. |
| Definitions: | Weight for height. Overweight or obesity = >+2SD |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-69 |
| Sample size: | 5575 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, (2020). Non-communicable disease Risk Factors: Bhutan STEPS Survey 2019, Thimphu. . https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/855/download/6027 (Accessed11.05.21) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 5863 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Bhutan Multiple Indicator Survey, May 2011, National Statistics Bureau, Thimphu, Bhutan. https://mics-surveys-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/MICS4/South%20Asia/Bhutan/2010/Final/Bhutan%202010%20MICS_English.pdf (Accessed 28.06.21) |
| Notes: | Infants. |
| Definitions: | Weight for height. Overweight or obesity = >+2SD |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Men, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Women, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Children, 2016
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 11-17 |
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
| Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
| Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Boys, 2016
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 11-17 |
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
| Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
| Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Girls, 2016
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 11-17 |
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
| Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
| Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Estimated per capita fruit intake
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
| Definitions: | Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day) |
Estimated per-capita processed meat intake
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
| Definitions: | Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day) |
Estimated per capita whole grains intake
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
| Definitions: | Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day) |
Mental health - depression disorders
Adults, 2015
| References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
| Definitions: | % of population with depression disorders |
Mental health - anxiety disorders
Adults, 2015
| References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
| Definitions: | % of population with anxiety disorders |
% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months
Children, 2015-2020
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition Survey 2015, Nutrition Programme Department of Public Health Ministry of Health Bhutan |
| Notes: | See UNICEF website for further survey information. Available at : https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/infant-young-child-feeding/ (last accessed 28.9.21) Citation: United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2021). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding, New York, September 2021. |
| Definitions: | % exclusively breastfed 0-5 months |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Raised blood pressure
Adults, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Men, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Women, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Raised cholesterol
Adults, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Men, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Women, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Raised fasting blood glucose
Men, 2014
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Women, 2014
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Diabetes prevalence
Adults, 2021
| Age: | 20-79 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels, Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2021. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
| Definitions: | Age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes, % |
Adults, 2019
| Age: | 20-79 |
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 9th edn. Brussels,Belgium: 2019. Available at: https://www.diabetesatlas.org |
| Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Adults, 2017
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
| Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Total economic cost as % of GDP
Policies, Interventions and Actions
Contextual factors
Disclaimer: These contextual factors should be interpreted with care. Results are updated as regularly as possible and use very specific criteria. The criteria used and full definitions are available for download at the bottom of this page.
Tap on a tick to find out more about policies influencing this factor.
Labelling
| Is there mandatory nutrition labelling? | Absent |
| Front-of-package labelling? | Absent |
| Back-of-pack nutrition declaration? | Absent |
| Color coding? | Absent |
| Warning label? | Absent |
Regulation and marketing
| Are there fiscal policies on unhealthy products? | Absent |
| Tax on unhealthy foods? | Absent |
| Tax on unhealthy drinks? | Absent |
| Are there fiscal policies on healthy products? | Absent |
| Subsidy on fruits? | Absent |
| Subsidy on vegetables? | Absent |
| Subsidy on other healthy products? | Absent |
| Mandatory limit or ban of trans fat (all settings)? | Absent |
| Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? | Absent |
| Ban on trans-fats or phos in place (all settings)? | Absent |
| Are there any mandatory policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children? | Absent |
| Mandatory restriction on broadcast media? | Absent |
| Mandatory restriction on non-broadcast media? | Absent |
| Voluntary policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children? | Absent |
| Are there mandatory standards for food in schools? | Absent |
| Are there any mandatory nutrient limits in any manufactured food products? | Absent |
| Nutrition standards for public sector procurement? | Absent |
Political will and support
| National obesity strategy or nutrition and physical activity national strategy? | Absent |
| National obesity strategy? | Absent |
| National childhood obesity strategy? | Absent |
| Comprehensive nutrition strategy? | Absent |
| Comprehensive physical activity strategy? | Absent |
| Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs? | Present |
| National target(s) on reducing obesity? | Present |
| Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment? | Absent |
| Promotion of breastfeeding? | Absent |
Monitoring and surveillance
| Monitoring of the prevalence and incidence for the main obesity-related NCDs and risk factors? | Present |
| Within 5 years? | Present |
Governance and resource
| Multi-sectoral national co-ordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)? | Absent |
Key
Present
Present (voluntary)
Incoming
Absent
Unknown
Last updated September 13, 2022
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