• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Trends over time
  • Population breakdowns
  • Drivers
  • Comorbidities
  • Economic impact
  • Policies
  • 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 *8.5/11This 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

Trends over time

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Population breakdowns

By education

By age

Drivers

Insufficient activity

Soft drink consumption

Fruit consumption

Vegetable consumption

Fast food 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.

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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

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Economic impact

Economic cost

Policies

National Obesity Strategy

Nutritional or Health Strategy

Marketing

Physical Activity

Tax/Subsidies on Food or Beverages

Community Interventions

Labelling

Health Effectiveness Reviews

Multidisciplinary Intervention

Non-national strategies

School Food Regulations

Breastfeeding

Obesity Target

Multisectoral national mechanism for obesity

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Contextual factors

Contextual factors

Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2016-2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:15+
Sample size:6233
Area covered:National
References:Encuesta Nacional de Salud. Chile. 2016-2017 https://www.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ENS-2016-17_PRIMEROS-RESULTADOS.pdf (Last accessed 04.08.20)
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, 2009-2010

Survey type:Measured
Age:15+
Sample size:5416
Area covered:National
References:Encuesta Nacional de Salud. Chile. 2009-2010. https://www.minsal.cl/portal/url/item/bcb03d7bc28b64dfe040010165012d23.pdf (Last accessed 04.08.20)
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, 2003

Survey type:Measured
Age:17+
Sample size:3619
Area covered:National
References:2003 ENS Report. Final results on the National Health Survey. Http://epi.minsal.cl/epi/html/invest/ENS/informeFinalENS.pdf.
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, 1992

Survey type:Measured
Age:15+
Sample size:Not specified
References:Uauy R, Albal C, Kain J. Obesity Trends in Latin America: Transiting from Under-to Overweight. Journal of Nutrition 2001;131:S893-S899
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, 1988

Survey type:Measured
Age:15+
Sample size:Not specified
References:Berrios X, Jadue I, Zenteno J, Ross MI, Rodriguez H. Prevalencia de factores de riesgo para enfermedades cronicas. Estudio de la poblacion general de la region Metropolitana, 1986-1987. Rev. Med. Chile. 1990;118:597-604
Notes:Urban population
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, 2013

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-17
Sample size:2049
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), Fact Sheet available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2013_Chile_GSHS_fact_sheet.pdf
Notes:WHO cutoffs.
Cutoffs:WHO
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Children, 2002

Survey type:Measured
Age:6
Sample size:17080 (4-6 year olds)
Area covered:National
References:Kain J, Uauy R, Vio F and Albana. 2002. Trends of overwieght and obesity prevalence in Chilean children: comparism of three definitions. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 56: 200 - 204.
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
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Children, 2000

Survey type:Measured
Age:6
Sample size:199444
References:Kain J, Uauy R, Vio F, Albala C. Trends in overweight and obesity prevalence in Chilean children: comparison of three definitions. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002;56:200-204
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
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Children, 1990

Survey type:Measured
Age:6
Sample size:Not specified
References:Kain J, Uauy R, Vio F, Albala C. Trends in overweight and obesity prevalence in Chilean children: comparison of three definitions. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002;56:200-204
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
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Children, 1987

Survey type:Measured
Age:6
Sample size:166891
References:Kain J, Uauy R, Vio F, Albala C. Trends in overweight and obesity prevalence in Chilean children: comparison of three definitions. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002;56:200-204
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
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Overweight/obesity by education

Adults, 2016-2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:15+
Sample size:6233
Area covered:National
References:Encuesta Nacional de Salud. Chile. 2016-2017 https://www.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ENS-2016-17_PRIMEROS-RESULTADOS.pdf (Last accessed 04.08.20)
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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Overweight/obesity by age

Adults, 2016-2017

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:6233
Area covered:National
References:Encuesta Nacional de Salud. Chile. 2016-2017 https://www.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ENS-2016-17_PRIMEROS-RESULTADOS.pdf (Last accessed 04.08.20)
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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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Children, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
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)
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Boys, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
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)
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Girls, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
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)
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Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption

Children, 2009-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
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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)
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Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption

Children, 2009-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Global School-based Student Health Surveys. Beal et al (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287. Sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
Definitions:Prevalence of less-than-daily fruit consumption (% less-than-daily fruit consumption)
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Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption

Children, 2009-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
Definitions:Prevalence of less-than-daily vegetable consumption (% less-than-daily vegetable consumption)
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Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption

Children, 2009-2015

Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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, %
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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 (%).
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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 (%).
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Total economic cost as % of GDP

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Policies, Interventions and Actions

The Law Food Advertising (Ley 20.869)

This law prohibits any kind of television or movie advertising between 06:00 am and 10:00 pm for foods or beverages that exceed cut-off points energy, sugar, saturated fats and sodium determined by the Minister of Health. The law also bans any kind of advertising of breast milk substitutes.

Categories:Evidence of Marketing Guidelines/Policy
Year(s):2018 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:www.bcn.cl

National Food and Nutrition Policy

The Food and Nutrition Policy establishes two guiding principles: ›› People's right to food as an unavoidable ethical principle when developing programmes, initiatives and regulations. ›› Food and nutrition are socially determined, and the conditions in which people's lives unfold shape food consumption decisions.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2017 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Linked document:Download linked document

NCD Country Profiles 2018 (Obesity Targets)

The profiles also provide data on the key metabolic risk factors, namely raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and obesity and National Targets on Obesity (as of 2017)

Categories:Evidence of Obesity Target
Year(s):2017 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:World Health Organisation
References:Noncommunicable diseases country profiles 2018. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Using evidence-informed policies to tackle overweight and obesity in Chile

Overweight and obesity are a global epidemic with rates having risen to alarming levels in both developed and developing countries. Chile has been no exemption, with sharp increases in obesity prevalence, especially among school-age children. This paper describes the policy actions and strategies implemented to tackle this major public health concern in Chile over the last 10 years, and highlights the main challenges and nuances of the process. Chile has taken policy action that includes front-of-package labelling, advertising regulations, and school-food restrictions. New policies focus on the social determinants of health as they relate to food environments and people’s behavior. These actions are not only suitable to the current context in Chile, but are also supported by the best available scientific evidence. Moreover, the implementation of these policies has produced a broad debate involving public institutions and the food industry, with discussions issues ranging from property rights to trade barriers. Despite some differences among stakeholders, a valuable political consensus has been achieved, and several international organizations are eager to evaluate the impact of these pioneer initiatives in Latin America.

Categories:Health Effectiveness Reviews (obesity related)
Year(s):2017 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Rodríguez Osiac L, Cofré C, Pizarro T, Mansilla C, Herrera CA, Burrows J, et al. Using evidence-informed policies to tackle overweight and obesity in Chile. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública [Internet]. 2017 Dec 19 [cited 2020 Jul 22];41. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6645201/ ‌
Find out more:www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Rodríguez Osiac L, Cofré C, Pizarro T, Mansilla C, Herrera CA, Burrows J, et al. Using evidence-informed policies to tackle overweight and obesity in Chile. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública [Internet]. 2017 Dec 19 [cited 2020 Jul 22];41. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6645201/

The Law on Nutritional Composition of Food and its Advertising (Ley 20.606)

The Law on Nutritional Composition of Food and its Advertising (Ley 20.606) mandated Chile's front of pack warning labels and prohibited the marketing of “high in” foods and beverages directed at children and the sales of these products in schools. Law N° 20.606 came into force in 2016. The regulations require labels to highlight food and beverage products with high energy, sugars, saturated fat, or sodium content using a black octagon. This regulation only applies to foods and beverages with added sodium, sugars, or saturated fats.

Categories:Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Evidence of Marketing Guidelines/Policy
Evidence of School Food Regulations
Year(s):2016 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:www.bcn.cl
Linked document:Download linked document

Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages: Ley sobre impuesto a las ventas y servicios (Tax law for sales and services)

Law document No.825 updated on September 29th, 2014. Natural or artificial beverages, energized or hypertonic beverages, with syrups or any product replacing it, or that is used to prepare similar beverages, mineral water or water with added artificial colour, flavour or sweetener will have a 10% tax. If the beverage has more than 15g per 240 millilitres or an equivalent portion the tax is 18%.

Categories:Taxation/Subsidies on Food or Beverages or law relating to public health
Year(s):2015 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Biblioteca Nacional del Congreso Nacional de Chile
Find out more:www.leychile.cl
Linked document:Download linked document
References:In Chile, Electronic Tickets Will Be Required Beginning in September [Internet]. Edicomgroup. Available from: https://www.edicomgroup.com/en_ES/news/14208-in-chile-electronic-tickets-will-be-required-beginning-in-september.html‌

Choose to Live Healthily" (Elige Vivir Sano)

This is an initiative of the Chilean First Lady in collaboration with government ministries. It promotes healthy eating, physical activity and healthy living. “Hoy empiezo a vivir sano” (Today I will start to live healthily) is the slogan of the 2020 communications campaign launched today by the Social and Family Development Minister, Sebastián Sichel, and the Executive Secretary of Elige Vivir Sano (Choose to live healthily), Daniela Godoy. The campaign will be aired on mainstream media and social networks. It seeks to motivate people to make small changes in their routines to adopt healthier habits and combat excess weight and obesity, conditions that currently affect seven out of ten people over 15 years old in Chile. The actions being promoted include cooking as a family, prioritizing fruits as a snack, going for a walk, playing with children. These actions are easy to carry out and can have a significant impact on the quality of family life.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Evidence of Physical Activity Guidelines/Policy
Evidence of Community Interventions/Campaign
Year(s):2013 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Government of Chile
Find out more:www.gob.cl
Linked document:Download linked document
References:https://magnet.cl. Gob.cl [Internet]. Gobierno de Chile. Available from: https://www.gob.cl/

Dietary guidelines for the Chilean population

The aim of these guidelines is to help people to maintain a healthy weight, eat healthily and be physically active every day.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2013 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA) of the University of Chile
Find out more:www.fao.org
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Chile [Internet]. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Available from: http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/Chile/en#:~:text=Eat%20fresh%20vegetables%20and%20fruits ‌

Sistema Elige Vivir Sano en comunidad

Objectives of Choose to Live Healthy in Community: - Make available to the communities a set of coordinated initiatives at the national, regional and local levels that contribute to improving the quality of life of people, assuming the State a responsibility to provide access to services that reduce gaps and barriers to healthy quality of life, through health actions, education, recreation and outdoor activities, among others. - Contribute to the generation of regulatory frameworks that raise standards in food matters and in environmental conditions that improve quality of life (tobacco, alcohol, physical activity, pollution, green areas, etc.). - Build indicators that allow monitoring and evaluating healthy communities, in order to identify the areas that present the greatest challenge to be addressed, reorienting the programmatic offer.

Categories:Evidence of a multi-sectoral national coordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)
Year(s):2013 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
References:Information provided with kind permission of WHO Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA): https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en/node/26919 (last accessed 10.08.22)

Law of Nutritional Composition of Food and Advertising

Framework legislation to help regulate food marketing to children. An evaluation of Chile’s Law of Food Labeling and Advertising on sugar-sweetened beverage purchases from 2015 to 2017: A before-and-after study

Categories (partial):Evidence of Marketing Guidelines/Policy
Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Year(s):2012 (ongoing)
Target age group:Children
Organisation:Government
Find out more:journals.plos.org
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Taillie LS, Reyes M, Colchero MA, Popkin B, Corvalán C. An evaluation of Chile’s Law of Food Labeling and Advertising on sugar-sweetened beverage purchases from 2015 to 2017: A before-and-after study. Basu S, editor. PLOS Medicine. 2020 Feb 11;17(2):e1003015. ‌

Mandatory national limit on trans fats

Since 2011, Chile has had a best-practice limit for industrially produced TFA of 2% in oils and fats in all foods.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2011 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:www.bcn.cl

Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos DTO. N° 14/11 (declaración de nutrientes)

Mandatory national labelling guidelines for packaged foods and drinks in place. (Available only in Spanish language)

Categories:Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Year(s):2011 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:President of the Republic
Linked document:Download linked document

EGO-Chile (Estrategeia Global Contra La Obesidad)

EGO-Chile is a national nutrition policy document which aims to promote new actions and strategies to help control overweight and obesity. It involves both the public and private sectors.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Categories (partial):Evidence of National Obesity Strategy/Policy or Action plan
Year(s):2006 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:extranet.who.int
Linked document:Download linked document
References:‌“ESTRATEGIA GLOBAL CONTRA LA OBESIDAD: EGO CHILE” [Internet]. Available from: http://pam-chile.cl/evento/evento03/pre02d.pdf ‌

Mandatory nutrition labelling: Food and health regulations

The Chilean Food and Health Regulations of 1996 mandated a list of the nutrient content of pre-packaged food products, The regulations also included definitions for nutrient content.

Categories:Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Year(s):1996 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:www.bcn.cl
Linked document:Download linked document

"Healthy Life" programme

The Healthy Life programme of the Ministry of Health is a comprehensive and free treatment that seeks to reduce the risk factors of developing Type 2 Diabetes and Arterial Hypertension in people, through an intervention in eating habits and physical condition. The target population is children, adolescents, adults and postpartum women. A nutritional diagnosis of overweight or obesity makes you eligible.

Categories:Evidence of Multidisciplinary Intervention
Non-national obesity strategies
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:ssms.cl

GNPR 2016-17 (q7) Breastfeeeding promotion and/or counselling

WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017 reported the evidence of breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling (q7)

Categories:Evidence of Breastfeeding promotion or related activity
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:Ministry of Health (information provided by the GINA progam)
Find out more:extranet.who.int
References:Information provided with kind permission of WHO Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA): https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en

No actions could be found for the above criteria.

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?Present
Front-of-package labelling?Present
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration?Present
Color coding?Absent
Warning label?Present

Regulation and marketing

Are there fiscal policies on unhealthy products?Present
Tax on unhealthy foods?Absent
Tax on unhealthy drinks?Present
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)?Present
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? Present
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?Present
Mandatory restriction on broadcast media?Present
Mandatory restriction on non-broadcast media?Present
Voluntary policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children?Absent
Are there mandatory standards for food in schools?Present
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?Present
National obesity strategy?Present
National childhood obesity strategy?Absent
Comprehensive nutrition strategy?Present
Comprehensive physical activity strategy?Present
Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs?Present
National target(s) on reducing obesity?Present
Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment?Absent
Promotion of breastfeeding?Present

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)?Present

Key

Present
Present (voluntary)
Incoming
Absent
Unknown

Last updated September 13, 2022

See more policies here

Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions

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