China
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Economic impact
- Policies
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *7/10This 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 *6/11This 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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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, 2015-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 72824 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li, Y., Teng, D., Shi, X., Teng, X., Teng, W., Shan, Z., Lai, Y. and China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study Group, 2021. Changes in the prevalence of obesity and hypertension and demographic risk factor profiles in China over 10 years: two national cross-sectional surveys. The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, 15, p.100227. |
| Definitions: | According to the Asian-specific cut-off points, overweight was defined as a BMI from 23 kg/m2 to less than 25 kg/m2, and general obesity was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater for both men and women. Data by age and by region using Asian-specific cut-off points are also available in the paper. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-59 |
| Sample size: | 6602 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Huang, Q., Wang, L., Jiang, H., Wang, H., Zhang, B., Zhang, J., Jia, X. and Wang, Z., 2020. Intra-Individual Double Burden of Malnutrition among Adults in China: Evidence from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2015. Nutrients, 12(9), p.2811. |
| Notes: | 3699 men and 2903 women |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Sample size: | 8315 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yan, S., Li, J., Li, S., Zhang, B., Du, S., Gordon-Larsen, P., Adair, L. and Popkin, B. (2012), The expanding burden of cardiometabolic risk in China: the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Obesity Reviews. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2012.01016.x |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Definitions: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2007-2008
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 45956 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li, Y., Teng, D., Shi, X., Teng, X., Teng, W., Shan, Z., Lai, Y. and China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study Group, 2021. Changes in the prevalence of obesity and hypertension and demographic risk factor profiles in China over 10 years: two national cross-sectional surveys. The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, 15, p.100227. |
| Definitions: | According to the Asian-specific cut-off points, overweight was defined as a BMI from 23 kg/m2 to less than 25 kg/m2, and general obesity was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater for both men and women. Data by age and by region using Asian-specific cut-off points are also available in the paper. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Definitions: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Definitions: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| 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
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Sample size: | 221044 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Report of the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey. 2004. (In Chinese). Chinese Ministry of Public Health (CMPH). |
| 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
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Definitions: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1997
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Definitions: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1993
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Definitions: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1991-1995
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 35-59 |
| Sample size: | 9213 |
| References: | Zhou BF, Wu Yangfeng, Yang Jun, Li Ying, Zhang H, Zhao L. Overweight is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Chinese populations. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:147-156 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1989
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20-45 |
| Sample size: | 2487 |
| References: | Bell AC, Ge K, Popkin BM. Weight gain and its predictors in Chinese adults. International Journal of Obesity 2;25:1079-1086001 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-18 |
| Sample size: | 1617 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Zhang J, Wang H, Wang Z, Du W, Su C, Zhang J, Jiang H, Jia X, Huang F, Ouyang Y, Wang Y, Zhang B.Prevalence and stabilizing trends in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in China, 2011-2015. BMC Public Health. 2018 May 2;18(1):571. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5483-9. |
| Definitions: | IOTF International Cut off. WHO & WGOC also available in paper. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 29418 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yunping Zhou, Qian Zhang, Tao Wang, Yanqing Zhang & Bo Xu. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents from 2015. Annals of Human Biology 2017;44:642-643 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03014460.2017.1371224 |
| Definitions: | 85th/95th Centiles Based on Chinese Reference Data see original article for details |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2014-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-14 |
| Sample size: | 325,083 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Zhang et al. 2018. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school-aged children in Jiangsu Province, China, 2014-2017.PLoS One. 2018; 13(8): e0202681. |
| Notes: | Subnational (Jiangsu Province) |
| Definitions: | Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC) BMI definition used |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-18 |
| References: | Zhang, J., Wang, H., Wang, Z. et al. Prevalence and stabilizing trends in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in China, 2011-2015. BMC Public Health 18, 571 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5483-9 |
| Definitions: | Overweight and obesity defined using WGOC Criteria |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-9 |
| Sample size: | 215,203 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sun H, Ma Y, Han D, Pan C-W, Xu Y. Prevalence and Trends in Obesity among China’s Children and Adolescents, 1985–2010. Gonzalez-Bulnes A, ed. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(8):e105469. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105469. |
| Notes: | Sample size for all children for all ages 7-18 A subject was considered to have obesity or overweight if weight-for-height exceeded the 20% or 10% of standard weight-for-height. The standard weight-for-height was the 80th percentile for sex- and age-specific growth charts. |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-12 |
| Sample size: | 1368 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Liang YJ, Xi B, Song AQ, Liu JX, Mi J. Trends in general and abdominal obesity. Pediatric Obesity 2012 Vol 7 (5):355-64 |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2002
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-17 |
| Sample size: | 44880 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yanping L, Evert GS, Xiaoqi H, Zhaohui C, Dechun L and Guansheng M. 2008. Obesity prevalence and time trend among youngsters in china, 1982 - 2002. Asia Pac Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 17(1):131 - 137. |
| 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 |
Children, 1999-2000
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 11 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Bellizzi MC, Horgan GW, Guillaume M, Dietz WH. Prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity in Asian and European countries. In: Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence. Editors: Chunming Chen, William H. Dietz. Nestle Nutrition Workshop Series Pediatric Program. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2002 |
| 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 |
Children, 1992
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-17 |
| Sample size: | 15501 |
| References: | Li Y,, Schouten EG, Hu X et al. Obesity prevalence and time trend among youngsters in China, 1982-2002. Published in Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Our version from Book - Li Y. Childhood Obesity in China: prevalence, determinants and health. Chapter 2 |
| 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 |
Children, 1982
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-17 |
| Sample size: | 10127 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li Y,, Schouten EG, Hu X et al. Obesity prevalence and time trend among youngsters in China, 1982-2002. Published in Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Our version from Book - Li Y. Childhood Obesity in China: prevalence, determinants and health. |
| 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 |
% Adults living with obesity, 2002-2009
% Adults living with obesity, 1993-2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993-2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287-296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| 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 obesity, 1993-2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993-2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287-296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| 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. | |
% Children living with overweight or obesity, 1982-2002
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1982: Li Y,, Schouten EG, Hu X et al. Obesity prevalence and time trend among youngsters in China, 1982-2002. Published in Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Our version from Book - Li Y. Childhood Obesity in China: prevalence, determinants and health. 1992: Li Y,, Schouten EG, Hu X et al. Obesity prevalence and time trend among youngsters in China, 1982-2002. Published in Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Our version from Book - Li Y. Childhood Obesity in China: prevalence, determinants and health. Chapter 2 2002: Yanping L, Evert GS, Xiaoqi H, Zhaohui C, Dechun L and Guansheng M. 2008. Obesity prevalence and time trend among youngsters in china, 1982 - 2002. Asia Pac Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 17(1):131 - 137. |
| 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 obesity, selected countries, 1976-2019
Men
| References: | 1976, 1981, 1986: Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190 1993: Solon FS. Nutrition related chronic diseases in the Philippines. Makati city, Philippines: Nutrition Center of the Philippines Report Series, vol 2, No.1, cited in Reference 53 1995, 1996: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 1998: Data provided by the Philippean Depatment of Health, Dr C. Barbu, data reanalysed by Dr Charmaine Duante. 2000: Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration. The burden of overweight and obesity in the Asia-Pacific region. Obesity Reviews 2007;8:191-196. 2001: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2002: Report of the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey. 2004. (In Chinese). Chinese Ministry of Public Health (CMPH). 2003: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/files/fnri%20files/nns/factsandfigures2003/anthropometric.pdf (last accessed June 14th 2011) 2004: Tonga STEPS Survey 2004 2005, 2013: Chang HC, Yang HC, Chang HY, et al. Morbid obesity in Taiwan: Prevalence, trends, associated social demographics, and lifestyle factors. PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0169577. Published 2017 Feb 2. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169577 2006: Gerritsen S, Stefanogiannis N, Galloway Y, Devlin M, Templaton R and Yeh L. A portrait of health: key results of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey. 2007: Mohamud WN, Musa KI, Khir AS, Ismail AA, Ismail IS, Kadir KA, Kamaruddin NA, Yaacob NA, Mustafa N, Ali O, Isa SH, Bebakar WM.Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult Malaysians: an update. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(1):35-41. 2009: Yan, S., Li, J., Li, S., Zhang, B., Du, S., Gordon-Larsen, P., Adair, L. and Popkin, B. (2012), The expanding burden of cardiometabolic risk in China: the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Obesity Reviews. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2012.01016.x 2011, 2012: New Zealand Health Survey. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2018-19-new-zealand-health-survey (last accessed 14.07.20) 2014: New Zealand Health Survey 2014/15. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2014-15-new-zealand-health-survey (last accessed 16.12.2015) 2015: 2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf 2016: Ministry of Health. 2018. Annual Data Explorer 2017/18: New Zealand Health Survey [Data File]. URL: https://minhealthnz.shinyapps.io/nz-health-survey-2017-18-annual-data-explorer/(last accessed 14th December 2017) 2017: Tonga STEPS Survey 2017 https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/713 (Last accessed 13.10.20) 2018: New Zealand Health Survey 2018-19. New Zealand Ministry of Health (https://minhealthnz.shinyapps.io/nz-health-survey-2018-19-annual-data-explorer/_w_b396d161/#!/key-indicators accessed 14.11.19) 2019: Institute for Public Health (IPH), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia. 2020. National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019: Vol. I: NCDs – Non-Communicable Diseases: Risk Factors and other Health Problems |
| 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
| References: | 1976, 1981, 1986: Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190 1993: Solon FS. Nutrition related chronic diseases in the Philippines. Makati city, Philippines: Nutrition Center of the Philippines Report Series, vol 2, No.1, cited in Reference 53 1995, 1996: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 1998: Data provided by the Philippean Depatment of Health, Dr C. Barbu, data reanalysed by Dr Charmaine Duante. 2000: Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration. The burden of overweight and obesity in the Asia-Pacific region. Obesity Reviews 2007;8:191-196. 2001: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2002: Report of the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey. 2004. (In Chinese). Chinese Ministry of Public Health (CMPH). 2003: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/files/fnri%20files/nns/factsandfigures2003/anthropometric.pdf (last accessed June 14th 2011) 2004: Tonga STEPS Survey 2004 2005, 2013: Chang HC, Yang HC, Chang HY, et al. Morbid obesity in Taiwan: Prevalence, trends, associated social demographics, and lifestyle factors. PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0169577. Published 2017 Feb 2. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169577 2006: Gerritsen S, Stefanogiannis N, Galloway Y, Devlin M, Templaton R and Yeh L. A portrait of health: key results of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey. 2007: Mohamud WN, Musa KI, Khir AS, Ismail AA, Ismail IS, Kadir KA, Kamaruddin NA, Yaacob NA, Mustafa N, Ali O, Isa SH, Bebakar WM.Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult Malaysians: an update. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(1):35-41. 2009: Yan, S., Li, J., Li, S., Zhang, B., Du, S., Gordon-Larsen, P., Adair, L. and Popkin, B. (2012), The expanding burden of cardiometabolic risk in China: the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Obesity Reviews. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2012.01016.x 2011, 2012: New Zealand Health Survey. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2018-19-new-zealand-health-survey (last accessed 14.07.20) 2014: New Zealand Health Survey 2014/15. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2014-15-new-zealand-health-survey (last accessed 16.12.2015) 2015: 2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf 2016: Ministry of Health. 2018. Annual Data Explorer 2017/18: New Zealand Health Survey [Data File]. URL: https://minhealthnz.shinyapps.io/nz-health-survey-2017-18-annual-data-explorer/(last accessed 14th December 2017) 2017: Tonga STEPS Survey 2017 https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/713 (Last accessed 13.10.20) 2018: New Zealand Health Survey 2018-19. New Zealand Ministry of Health (https://minhealthnz.shinyapps.io/nz-health-survey-2018-19-annual-data-explorer/_w_b396d161/#!/key-indicators accessed 14.11.19) 2019: Institute for Public Health (IPH), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia. 2020. National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019: Vol. I: NCDs – Non-Communicable Diseases: Risk Factors and other Health Problems |
| 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. | |
Overweight/obesity by education
Adults, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-59 |
| Sample size: | 6602 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Huang, Q., Wang, L., Jiang, H., Wang, H., Zhang, B., Zhang, J., Jia, X. and Wang, Z., 2020. Intra-Individual Double Burden of Malnutrition among Adults in China: Evidence from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2015. Nutrients, 12(9), p.2811. |
| Notes: | 3699 men and 2903 women |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-12 |
| Sample size: | 9917 |
| Area covered: | Regional - Guangzhou (urban setting) |
| References: | Liu W, Liu W, Lin R, et al. Socioeconomic determinants of childhood obesity among primary school children in Guangzhou, China. BMC Public Health. 2016;16:482. doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3171-1. |
| Notes: | BMI standard deviation scores (BMI z-score) were derived using the age (calculated by subtracting the date of birth from the date of examination) and sex specific WHO growth reference for school-aged children, which were further classified as non-overweight (≤1SD), overweight (>1SD) and obese (>2SD). Overweight and obesity prevalence by Father's education. Education was categorised into low (primary and junior high school level), medium (senior high and vocational school level) or high (university level or higher). |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-12 |
| Sample size: | 9917 |
| Area covered: | Regional - Guangzhou (urban setting) |
| References: | Liu W, Liu W, Lin R, et al. Socioeconomic determinants of childhood obesity among primary school children in Guangzhou, China. BMC Public Health. 2016;16:482. doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3171-1. |
| Notes: | BMI standard deviation scores (BMI z-score) were derived using the age (calculated by subtracting the date of birth from the date of examination) and sex specific WHO growth reference for school-aged children, which were further classified as non-overweight (≤1SD), overweight (>1SD) and obese (>2SD). Overweight and obesity prevalence by Father's education. Education was categorised into low (primary and junior high school level), medium (senior high and vocational school level) or high (university level or higher). |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 6602 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Huang, Q., Wang, L., Jiang, H., Wang, H., Zhang, B., Zhang, J., Jia, X. and Wang, Z., 2020. Intra-Individual Double Burden of Malnutrition among Adults in China: Evidence from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2015. Nutrients, 12(9), p.2811. |
| Notes: | 3699 men and 2903 women |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2015-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 72824 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li, Y., Teng, D., Shi, X., Teng, X., Teng, W., Shan, Z., Lai, Y. and China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study Group, 2021. Changes in the prevalence of obesity and hypertension and demographic risk factor profiles in China over 10 years: two national cross-sectional surveys. The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, 15, p.100227. |
| Definitions: | According to the Asian-specific cut-off points, overweight was defined as a BMI from 23 kg/m2 to less than 25 kg/m2, and general obesity was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater for both men and women. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2007-2008
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 45956 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li, Y., Teng, D., Shi, X., Teng, X., Teng, W., Shan, Z., Lai, Y. and China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study Group, 2021. Changes in the prevalence of obesity and hypertension and demographic risk factor profiles in China over 10 years: two national cross-sectional surveys. The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, 15, p.100227. |
| Definitions: | According to the Asian-specific cut-off points, overweight was defined as a BMI from 23 kg/m2 to less than 25 kg/m2, and general obesity was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater for both men and women. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 1617 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Zhang J, Wang H, Wang Z, Du W, Su C, Zhang J, Jiang H, Jia X, Huang F, Ouyang Y, Wang Y, Zhang B.Prevalence and stabilizing trends in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in China, 2011-2015. BMC Public Health. 2018 May 2;18(1):571. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5483-9. |
| Notes: | International Cut off used, WHO & WGOC also available |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 29,418 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Zhou, Y. et al. (2017) 'Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents from 2015', Annals of Human Biology, 44 (7). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2017.1371224 |
| Notes: | Subjects were defined as being overweight (BMI P85 and <P95) or obese (BMI P95) by referring to the Body Mass Index Reference Norm for Screening Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Children and Adolescents. |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 215203 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sun H, Ma Y, Han D, Pan C-W, Xu Y. Prevalence and Trends in Obesity among China’s Children and Adolescents, 1985–2010. Gonzalez-Bulnes A, ed. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(8):e105469. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105469. |
| Notes: | A subject was considered obese or overweight if weight-for-height exceeded the 20% or 10% of standard weight-for-height. The standard weight-for-height was the 80th percentile for sex- and age-specific growth charts. |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2002
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 70508 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li Y, Schouten EG, Hu X, Cui Z, Luan D, Ma G. Obesity prevalence and time trend among youngsters in China, 1982-2002. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(1):131-137. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 1992
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 70508 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li Y, Schouten EG, Hu X, Cui Z, Luan D, Ma G. Obesity prevalence and time trend among youngsters in China, 1982-2002. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(1):131-137. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 1982
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 70508 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li Y, Schouten EG, Hu X, Cui Z, Luan D, Ma G. Obesity prevalence and time trend among youngsters in China, 1982-2002. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(1):131-137. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by region
Adults, 2015-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 72824 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li, Y., Teng, D., Shi, X., Teng, X., Teng, W., Shan, Z., Lai, Y. and China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study Group, 2021. Changes in the prevalence of obesity and hypertension and demographic risk factor profiles in China over 10 years: two national cross-sectional surveys. The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, 15, p.100227. |
| Definitions: | According to the Asian-specific cut-off points, overweight was defined as a BMI from 23 kg/m2 to less than 25 kg/m2, and general obesity was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater for both men and women. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2007-2008
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 45956 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Li, Y., Teng, D., Shi, X., Teng, X., Teng, W., Shan, Z., Lai, Y. and China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study Group, 2021. Changes in the prevalence of obesity and hypertension and demographic risk factor profiles in China over 10 years: two national cross-sectional surveys. The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, 15, p.100227. |
| Definitions: | According to the Asian-specific cut-off points, overweight was defined as a BMI from 23 kg/m2 to less than 25 kg/m2, and general obesity was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater for both men and women. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 2000
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2000
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 1997
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 1997
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 1993
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 1993
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| References: | Xi, B., Liang, Y., He, T., Reilly, K. H., Hu, Y., Wang, Q., Yan, Y. and Mi, J. (2012), Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009. Obesity Reviews, 13: 287–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00944.x |
| Notes: | Obesity classified as BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-18 |
| Sample size: | 1617 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Zhang J, Wang H, Wang Z, Du W, Su C, Zhang J, Jiang H, Jia X, Huang F, Ouyang Y, Wang Y, Zhang B.Prevalence and stabilizing trends in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in China, 2011-2015. BMC Public Health. 2018 May 2;18(1):571. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5483-9. |
| Notes: | International Cut off used, WHO & WGOC also available |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 29,418 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Zhou, Y. et al. (2017) 'Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents from 2015', Annals of Human Biology, 44 (7). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2017.1371224 |
| Notes: | Subjects were defined as being overweight (BMI P85 and <P95) or obese (BMI P95) by referring to the Body Mass Index Reference Norm for Screening Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Children and Adolescents. |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-12 |
| Sample size: | 29,418 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Zhou, Y. et al. (2017) 'Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents from 2015', Annals of Human Biology, 44 (7). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2017.1371224 |
| Notes: | Subjects were defined as being overweight (BMI P85 and <P95) or obese (BMI P95) by referring to the Body Mass Index Reference Norm for Screening Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Children and Adolescents. 2015 Regional data also available for: Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Xi'an (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29212483 ;Zhao et al. 2017) |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Boys, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-18 |
| Sample size: | 4847 |
| Area covered: | Shandong Province (Rural) |
| References: | Zhang YX, Wang ZX, Zhao JS, Chu ZH. Trends in overweight and obesity among rural children and adolescents from 1985 to 2014 in Shandong, China. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2016 Apr 26. pii: 204748731664383 |
| Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Rural China. IOTF BMI Cut-off points used. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-18 |
| Sample size: | 4847 |
| Area covered: | Shandong Province (Rural) |
| References: | Zhang YX, Wang ZX, Zhao JS, Chu ZH. Trends in overweight and obesity among rural children and adolescents from 1985 to 2014 in Shandong, China. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2016 Apr 26. pii: 204748731664383 |
| Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Rural China. IOTF BMI Cut-off points used. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Boys, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-18 |
| Sample size: | 215203 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sun H, Ma Y, Han D, Pan C-W, Xu Y. Prevalence and Trends in Obesity among China’s Children and Adolescents, 1985–2010. Gonzalez-Bulnes A, ed. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(8):e105469. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105469. |
| Notes: | A subject was considered obese or overweight if weight-for-height exceeded the 20% or 10% of standard weight-for-height. The standard weight-for-height was the 80th percentile for sex- and age-specific growth charts. |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Girls, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-18 |
| Sample size: | 215203 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sun H, Ma Y, Han D, Pan C-W, Xu Y. Prevalence and Trends in Obesity among China’s Children and Adolescents, 1985–2010. Gonzalez-Bulnes A, ed. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(8):e105469. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105469. |
| Notes: | A subject was considered obese or overweight if weight-for-height exceeded the 20% or 10% of standard weight-for-height. The standard weight-for-height was the 80th percentile for sex- and age-specific growth charts. |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 1993
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-9 |
| Sample size: | Total sample size (6-18yrs old) = 3028 |
| Area covered: | The China Health and Nutrition Surveys (CHNS) covered eight provinces that vary substantially in geography, economic development, public resources, and health indicators. |
| References: | Youfa Wang.Cross-national comparison of childhood obesity: the epidemic and the relationship between obesity and socioeconomic status. Int. J. Epidemiol. (2001) 30 (5): 1129-1136. doi: 10.1093/ije/30.5.1129 |
| Notes: | The study used the US NCHS body mass index (BMI = wt/ht2) reference to define obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile) and overweight (85th≤BMI<95th percentile). |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Overweight/obesity by age and region
Men, 2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18 |
| Sample size: | 30447 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Zhang YX, Wang SR. Distribution of body mass index and the prevalence changes of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Shandong, China from 1985 to 2005. Annals of Human Biology, Volume 35, Issue 5 September 2008 , pages 547 - 555 |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18 |
| Sample size: | 30447 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Zhang YX, Wang SR. Distribution of body mass index and the prevalence changes of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Shandong, China from 1985 to 2005. Annals of Human Biology, Volume 35, Issue 5 September 2008 , pages 547 - 555 |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 1995
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18 |
| Sample size: | 30447 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Zhang YX, Wang SR. Distribution of body mass index and the prevalence changes of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Shandong, China from 1985 to 2005. Annals of Human Biology, Volume 35, Issue 5 September 2008 , pages 547 - 555 |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 1995
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18 |
| Sample size: | 30447 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Zhang YX, Wang SR. Distribution of body mass index and the prevalence changes of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Shandong, China from 1985 to 2005. Annals of Human Biology, Volume 35, Issue 5 September 2008 , pages 547 - 555 |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 1985
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18 |
| Sample size: | 30447 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Zhang YX, Wang SR. Distribution of body mass index and the prevalence changes of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Shandong, China from 1985 to 2005. Annals of Human Biology, Volume 35, Issue 5 September 2008 , pages 547 - 555 |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 1985
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18 |
| Sample size: | 30447 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Zhang YX, Wang SR. Distribution of body mass index and the prevalence changes of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Shandong, China from 1985 to 2005. Annals of Human Biology, Volume 35, Issue 5 September 2008 , pages 547 - 555 |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
| 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 socio-economic group
Adults, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-59 |
| Sample size: | 6602 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Huang, Q., Wang, L., Jiang, H., Wang, H., Zhang, B., Zhang, J., Jia, X. and Wang, Z., 2020. Intra-Individual Double Burden of Malnutrition among Adults in China: Evidence from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2015. Nutrients, 12(9), p.2811. |
| Notes: | 3699 men and 2903 women |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-12 |
| Sample size: | 9917 |
| Area covered: | Regional - Guangzhou (urban setting) |
| References: | Liu W, Liu W, Lin R, et al. Socioeconomic determinants of childhood obesity among primary school children in Guangzhou, China. BMC Public Health. 2016;16:482. doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3171-1. |
| Notes: | BMI standard deviation scores (BMI z-score) were derived using the age (calculated by subtracting the date of birth from the date of examination) and sex specific WHO growth reference for school-aged children, which were further classified as non-overweight (≤1SD), overweight (>1SD) and obese (>2SD). Overweight and obesity prevalence by Father's education. Education was categorised into low (primary and junior high school level), medium (senior high and vocational school level) or high (university level or higher). |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-17 |
| Sample size: | 1566 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | CHNS 2004 data in: T Dearth-Wesley, H Wang and BM Popkin. Under- and overnutrition dynamics in Chinese children and adults (1991–2004)European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 1302–1307 |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 1993
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-9 |
| Sample size: | Total sample size (6-18yrs old) = 3028 |
| Area covered: | The China Health and Nutrition Surveys (CHNS) covered eight provinces that vary substantially in geography, economic development, public resources, and health indicators. |
| References: | Youfa Wang.Cross-national comparison of childhood obesity: the epidemic and the relationship between obesity and socioeconomic status. Int. J. Epidemiol. (2001) 30 (5): 1129-1136. doi: 10.1093/ije/30.5.1129 |
| Notes: | The study used the US NCHS body mass index (BMI = wt/ht2) reference to define obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile) and overweight (85th≤BMI<95th percentile). |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Overweight/obesity by ethnicity
Ethnic groups are as defined by publication of origin and are not as defined by WOF. In some instances ethnicity is conflated with nationality and/or race.
Children, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7-18 |
| Sample size: | 80,821 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Dong, Yanhui, et al. “Prevalence of Excess Body Weight and Underweight among 26 Chinese Ethnic Minority Children and Adolescents in 2014: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.” BMC Public Health, vol. 18, no. 1, 27 Apr. 2018, 10.1186/s12889-018-5352-6. |
| Notes: | Data from Chinese National Survey on Students Constitution and Health 2014 |
| Cutoffs: | Overweight and obesity was defined as ≥ the referent age-and sex- specific 85th centile according to the reference developed by Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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, 2004-2020
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | China National Nutrition and Health Survey, 2013 |
| 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, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2020
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2089 |
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates 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 (%). |
Economic impact of overweight and obesity
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? | Present |
| Front-of-package labelling? | Present-(voluntary) |
| Back-of-pack nutrition declaration? | Present |
| 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? | Present |
| National obesity strategy? | Present |
| National childhood obesity strategy? | Present |
| 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? | Present |
| 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
Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions
