Colombia
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Health systems
- Policies
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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 *6.5/11This 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).
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
Health systems
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-75 |
| Sample size: | 1537 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Jimenez-Mora, Mario A et al. “Association of Overweight, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity with Socioeconomic Status and Educational Level in Colombia.” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy vol. 13 1887-1898. 3 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/DMSO.S244761 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2015-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 151343 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | ENSIN 2015. Available at https://www.minsalud.gov.co/ (last accessed 05.10.20) |
| Notes: | Sample size includes children |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 43723 |
| Area covered: | National (DHS) |
| References: | Demographic Health Survey 2010 |
| Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 162331 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | ENSIN 2010. Available at https://www.minsalud.gov.co/ (last accessed 05.10.20) |
| 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: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 38143 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Demographic Health Survey 2005 |
| Notes: | Other married women 15 - 49 years. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 31105 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Kasper NM, Herrán OF, Villamor E. Obesity prevalence in Colombian adults is increasing fastest in lower socio-economic status groups and urban residents: results from two nationally representative surveys. Public Health Nutrition: 17(11), 2398–2406 doi:10.1017/S1368980013003418 |
| Notes: | 18679 Females12426 Males |
| 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: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 3070 |
| References: | SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 |
| 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: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 3319 |
| References: | Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 385 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Jimenez-Mora, Mario A et al. “Association of Overweight, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity with Socioeconomic Status and Educational Level in Colombia.” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy vol. 13 1887-1898. 3 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/DMSO.S244761 |
| Notes: | PLEASE NOTE SMALL SAMPLE SIZE Conflicting age ranges presented in paper. The Child data may be either 2-17 years of 5-17 years. It has been assumed 5-17 years, though author has been contacted to confirm. Cut offs. 25-59 months BMI for Age Z Score >1 ≤ 3 for overweight, >3 Obesity 5-17 years BMI for Age Z Score >1 ≤ 2 for overweight, > 2 Obesity |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 18177 |
| References: | Rincón-Pabón, D., Urazán-Hernández, Y., & González-Santamaría, J. (2019). Association between the time spent watching television and the sociodemographic characteristics with the presence of overweight and obesity in Colombian adolescents (secondary analysis of the ENSIN 2010). PloS one, 14(5), e0216455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216455 |
| Notes: | WHO Cut off |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
% Adults living with obesity, 1995-2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1995: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 2000: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2005: Demographic Health Survey 2005 2010: Demographic Health Survey 2010 |
| 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 overweight or obesity, 1995-2010
| References: | 1995: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 2000: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2005: Demographic Health Survey 2005 2010: Demographic Health Survey 2010 |
| 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, selected countries, 1960-2020
Men
| References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1975: Monteiro CA, Conde WL, Popking BM. Is obesity replacing or adding to undernutrition? Evidence from different social classes in Brazil. 2002. Public Health Nutrition:51(1A), 105-112 1988: 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 1992, 1994, 1995: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 1997: Filozof C, Gonzales C, Sereday M, Mazza C, Braguinsky J. Obesity prevalence and trends in Latin American countries. Obesity Reviews, 2001;2:99-196 1998: http://www.unscn.org/layout/modules/resources/files/rwns5.pdf; MEAN BMI Data DHS Survey 1999: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ 2000: Demographic Health Survey, Peru 2000 2001: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2002: Monteiro CA, Conde WL and Popkin BA. (2007). Income-specific trends in obesity in Brazil: 1975 - 2003. American Journal of Public Health, 97 (10): 1808 - 1812. 2003: 2003 ENS Report. Final results on the National Health Survey. Http://epi.minsal.cl/epi/html/invest/ENS/informeFinalENS.pdf. 2005: Demographic Health Survey 2006. 2006: Olaiz-Fernández G, Rivera-Dommarco J, Shamah-Levy T, Rojas R, Villalpando-Hernández S, Hernández-Avila M, Sepúlveda-Amor J. Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2006. Cuernavaca, México: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 2006. (National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006). 2007: DHS 2007 - 2008 2008: Ramirez-Zea M, Kroker-Lobos MF, Close-Fernandez R, Kanter R. The double burden of malnutrition in indigenous and nonindigenous Guatemalan populations. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Dec;100(6):1644S-51S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.083857 2009: 1-4th Argentinian National Survey of Risk Factors (Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo). 4th (2018) Survey 2010: Demographic Health Survey 2010 2011: Ruopeng An, “Prevalence and Trends of Adult Obesity in the US, 1999–2012”, ISRN Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 185132, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/185132 2012: Demographic Health Survey Haiti 2012 2013: DHS Peru 2013 2014: Demographic Health Survey, Guatemala 2014-15 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2016: 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) 2017: Pickens, C. M., Flores-Ayala, R., Addo, O. Y., Whitehead, R. D., Jr, Palmieri, M., Ramirez-Zea, M., Hong, Y., & Jefferds, M. E. (2020). Prevalence and Predictors of High Blood Pressure Among Women of Reproductive Age and Children Aged 10 to 14 Years in Guatemala. Preventing chronic disease, 17, E66. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.190403 2018: 4th National Survey, Full report available at http://www.msal.gob.ar/images/stories/bes/graficos/0000001622cnt-2019-10_4ta-encuesta-nacional-factores-riesgo.pdf (last accessed 29.04.20) 2019: Bahamas STEPS Survey (Preliminary results) https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/connect/891fac39-ad7d-4aa8-ac54-39912a1afcea/Preliminary+Factsheet+v7+%28med+resl%27n%29.pdf?MOD=AJPERES (Accessed 03.11.2020) 2020: Shamah-Levy T, Romero-Martínez M, Barrientos-Gutiérrez T, Cuevas-Nasu L, Bautista-Arredondo S, Colchero MA, GaonaPineda EB, Lazcano-Ponce E, Martínez-Barnetche J, Alpuche-Arana C, Rivera-Dommarco J. Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2020 sobre Covid-19. Resultados nacionales. Cuernavaca, México: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 2021. https://ensanut.insp.mx/encuestas/ensanutcontinua2020/doctos/informes/ensanutCovid19ResultadosNacionales.pdf (Accessed 11.01.2022) |
| 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: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1975: Monteiro CA, Conde WL, Popking BM. Is obesity replacing or adding to undernutrition? Evidence from different social classes in Brazil. 2002. Public Health Nutrition:51(1A), 105-112 1988: 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 1992, 1994, 1995: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 1997: Filozof C, Gonzales C, Sereday M, Mazza C, Braguinsky J. Obesity prevalence and trends in Latin American countries. Obesity Reviews, 2001;2:99-196 1998: http://www.unscn.org/layout/modules/resources/files/rwns5.pdf; MEAN BMI Data DHS Survey 1999: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ 2000: Demographic Health Survey, Peru 2000 2001: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2002: Monteiro CA, Conde WL and Popkin BA. (2007). Income-specific trends in obesity in Brazil: 1975 - 2003. American Journal of Public Health, 97 (10): 1808 - 1812. 2003: 2003 ENS Report. Final results on the National Health Survey. Http://epi.minsal.cl/epi/html/invest/ENS/informeFinalENS.pdf. 2005: Demographic Health Survey 2006. 2006: Olaiz-Fernández G, Rivera-Dommarco J, Shamah-Levy T, Rojas R, Villalpando-Hernández S, Hernández-Avila M, Sepúlveda-Amor J. Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2006. Cuernavaca, México: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 2006. (National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006). 2007: DHS 2007 - 2008 2008: Ramirez-Zea M, Kroker-Lobos MF, Close-Fernandez R, Kanter R. The double burden of malnutrition in indigenous and nonindigenous Guatemalan populations. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Dec;100(6):1644S-51S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.083857 2009: 1-4th Argentinian National Survey of Risk Factors (Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo). 4th (2018) Survey 2010: Demographic Health Survey 2010 2011: Ruopeng An, “Prevalence and Trends of Adult Obesity in the US, 1999–2012”, ISRN Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 185132, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/185132 2012: Demographic Health Survey Haiti 2012 2013: DHS Peru 2013 2014: Demographic Health Survey, Guatemala 2014-15 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2016: 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) 2017: Pickens, C. M., Flores-Ayala, R., Addo, O. Y., Whitehead, R. D., Jr, Palmieri, M., Ramirez-Zea, M., Hong, Y., & Jefferds, M. E. (2020). Prevalence and Predictors of High Blood Pressure Among Women of Reproductive Age and Children Aged 10 to 14 Years in Guatemala. Preventing chronic disease, 17, E66. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.190403 2018: 4th National Survey, Full report available at http://www.msal.gob.ar/images/stories/bes/graficos/0000001622cnt-2019-10_4ta-encuesta-nacional-factores-riesgo.pdf (last accessed 29.04.20) 2019: Bahamas STEPS Survey (Preliminary results) https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/connect/891fac39-ad7d-4aa8-ac54-39912a1afcea/Preliminary+Factsheet+v7+%28med+resl%27n%29.pdf?MOD=AJPERES (Accessed 03.11.2020) 2020: Shamah-Levy T, Romero-Martínez M, Barrientos-Gutiérrez T, Cuevas-Nasu L, Bautista-Arredondo S, Colchero MA, GaonaPineda EB, Lazcano-Ponce E, Martínez-Barnetche J, Alpuche-Arana C, Rivera-Dommarco J. Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2020 sobre Covid-19. Resultados nacionales. Cuernavaca, México: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 2021. https://ensanut.insp.mx/encuestas/ensanutcontinua2020/doctos/informes/ensanutCovid19ResultadosNacionales.pdf (Accessed 11.01.2022) |
| 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, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-75 |
| Sample size: | 1537 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Jimenez-Mora, Mario A et al. “Association of Overweight, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity with Socioeconomic Status and Educational Level in Colombia.” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy vol. 13 1887-1898. 3 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/DMSO.S244761 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-12 |
| Sample size: | 3202 |
| Area covered: | City of Bogotá |
| References: | McDonald CM, Baylin A, Arsenault JE, Mora-Plazas M, Villamor E. Overweight Is More Prevalent Than Stunting and Is Associated with Socioeconomic Status, Maternal Obesity, and a Snacking Dietary Pattern in School Children from Bogotá, Colombia. The Journal of Nutrition. 2009;139(2):370-376. doi:10.3945/jn.108.098111. |
| Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by Maternal Education. The study population is representative of low- and middle-income families from Bogotá, considering that the public school system enrolled 57% of all primary school children in the city by the end of 2005 and 89% of them were from low- and middle-income families. Child overweight or obesity was defined according to BMI cut-off points for sex and age corresponding to ≥25 in adults, following the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) recommendations |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 1537 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Jimenez-Mora, Mario A et al. “Association of Overweight, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity with Socioeconomic Status and Educational Level in Colombia.” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy vol. 13 1887-1898. 3 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/DMSO.S244761 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-17 |
| Sample size: | 18177 |
| References: | Rincón-Pabón, D., Urazán-Hernández, Y., & González-Santamaría, J. (2019). Association between the time spent watching television and the sociodemographic characteristics with the presence of overweight and obesity in Colombian adolescents (secondary analysis of the ENSIN 2010). PloS one, 14(5), e0216455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216455 |
| Notes: | WHO Cut off |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 91115 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Nicole M Kasper, Oscar F Herrán and Eduardo Villamor (2014). Obesity prevalence in Colombian adults is increasing fastest in lower socio-economic status groups and urban residents: results from two nationally representative surveys. Public Health Nutrition, 17, pp 2398-2406. doi:10.1017/S1368980013003418. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 385 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Jimenez-Mora, Mario A et al. “Association of Overweight, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity with Socioeconomic Status and Educational Level in Colombia.” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy vol. 13 1887-1898. 3 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/DMSO.S244761 |
| Notes: | PLEASE NOTE SMALL SAMPLE SIZE Conflicting age ranges presented in paper. The Child data may be either 2-17 years of 5-17 years. It has been assumed 5-17 years, though author has been contacted to confirm. Cut offs. 25-59 months BMI for Age Z Score >1 ≤ 3 for overweight, >3 Obesity 5-17 years BMI for Age Z Score >1 ≤ 2 for overweight, > 2 Obesity |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 13-14 |
| Sample size: | 18177 |
| References: | Rincón-Pabón, D., Urazán-Hernández, Y., & González-Santamaría, J. (2019). Association between the time spent watching television and the sociodemographic characteristics with the presence of overweight and obesity in Colombian adolescents (secondary analysis of the ENSIN 2010). PloS one, 14(5), e0216455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216455 |
| Notes: | WHO Cut off |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 3202 |
| Area covered: | City of Bogotá |
| References: | McDonald CM, Baylin A, Arsenault JE, Mora-Plazas M, Villamor E. Overweight Is More Prevalent Than Stunting and Is Associated with Socioeconomic Status, Maternal Obesity, and a Snacking Dietary Pattern in School Children from Bogotá, Colombia. The Journal of Nutrition. 2009;139(2):370-376. doi:10.3945/jn.108.098111. |
| Notes: | The study population is representative of low- and middle-income families from Bogotá, considering that the public school system enrolled 57% of all primary school children in the city by the end of 2005 and 89% of them were from low- and middle-income families. Child overweight or obesity was defined according to BMI cut-off points for sex and age corresponding to ≥25 in adults, following the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) recommendations |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Overweight/obesity by region
Adults, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-75 |
| Sample size: | 1537 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Jimenez-Mora, Mario A et al. “Association of Overweight, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity with Socioeconomic Status and Educational Level in Colombia.” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy vol. 13 1887-1898. 3 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/DMSO.S244761 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2015-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 151343 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | ENSIN 2015. Available at https://www.minsalud.gov.co/ (last accessed 05.10.20) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 91115 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Nicole M Kasper, Oscar F Herrán and Eduardo Villamor (2014). Obesity prevalence in Colombian adults is increasing fastest in lower socio-economic status groups and urban residents: results from two nationally representative surveys. Public Health Nutrition, 17, pp 2398-2406. doi:10.1017/S1368980013003418. |
| Notes: | |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 91115 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Nicole M Kasper, Oscar F Herrán and Eduardo Villamor (2014). Obesity prevalence in Colombian adults is increasing fastest in lower socio-economic status groups and urban residents: results from two nationally representative surveys. Public Health Nutrition, 17, pp 2398-2406. doi:10.1017/S1368980013003418. |
| Notes: | |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 385 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Jimenez-Mora, Mario A et al. “Association of Overweight, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity with Socioeconomic Status and Educational Level in Colombia.” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy vol. 13 1887-1898. 3 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/DMSO.S244761 |
| Notes: | PLEASE NOTE SMALL SAMPLE SIZE Conflicting age ranges presented in paper. The Child data may be either 2-17 years of 5-17 years. It has been assumed 5-17 years, though author has been contacted to confirm. Cut offs. 25-59 months BMI for Age Z Score >1 ≤ 3 for overweight, >3 Obesity 5-17 years BMI for Age Z Score >1 ≤ 2 for overweight, > 2 Obesity |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 18177 |
| References: | Rincón-Pabón, D., Urazán-Hernández, Y., & González-Santamaría, J. (2019). Association between the time spent watching television and the sociodemographic characteristics with the presence of overweight and obesity in Colombian adolescents (secondary analysis of the ENSIN 2010). PloS one, 14(5), e0216455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216455 |
| Notes: | WHO Cut off |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Adults, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-75 |
| Sample size: | 1537 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Jimenez-Mora, Mario A et al. “Association of Overweight, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity with Socioeconomic Status and Educational Level in Colombia.” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy vol. 13 1887-1898. 3 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/DMSO.S244761 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-64 |
| Sample size: | 91115 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Nicole M Kasper, Oscar F Herrán and Eduardo Villamor (2014). Obesity prevalence in Colombian adults is increasing fastest in lower socio-economic status groups and urban residents: results from two nationally representative surveys. Public Health Nutrition, 17, pp 2398-2406. doi:10.1017/S1368980013003418. |
| Notes: | Obesity prevalence by wealth index quintile. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 385 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Jimenez-Mora, Mario A et al. “Association of Overweight, Obesity and Abdominal Obesity with Socioeconomic Status and Educational Level in Colombia.” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy vol. 13 1887-1898. 3 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/DMSO.S244761 |
| Notes: | PLEASE NOTE SMALL SAMPLE SIZE Conflicting age ranges presented in paper. The Child data may be either 2-17 years of 5-17 years. It has been assumed 5-17 years, though author has been contacted to confirm. Cut offs. 25-59 months BMI for Age Z Score >1 ≤ 3 for overweight, >3 Obesity 5-17 years BMI for Age Z Score >1 ≤ 2 for overweight, > 2 Obesity |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 18177 |
| References: | Rincón-Pabón, D., Urazán-Hernández, Y., & González-Santamaría, J. (2019). Association between the time spent watching television and the sociodemographic characteristics with the presence of overweight and obesity in Colombian adolescents (secondary analysis of the ENSIN 2010). PloS one, 14(5), e0216455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216455 |
| Notes: | WHO Cut off |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-12 |
| Sample size: | 3202 |
| Area covered: | City of Bogotá |
| References: | McDonald CM, Baylin A, Arsenault JE, Mora-Plazas M, Villamor E. Overweight Is More Prevalent Than Stunting and Is Associated with Socioeconomic Status, Maternal Obesity, and a Snacking Dietary Pattern in School Children from Bogotá, Colombia. The Journal of Nutrition. 2009;139(2):370-376. doi:10.3945/jn.108.098111. |
| Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by household socio-economic stratum. The study population is representative of low- and middle-income families from Bogotá, considering that the public school system enrolled 57% of all primary school children in the city by the end of 2005 and 89% of them were from low- and middle-income families. Child overweight or obesity was defined according to BMI cut-off points for sex and age corresponding to ≥25 in adults, following the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) recommendations |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
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, 1998-2019
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Colombia National Survey of the Nutritional Situation 2015 |
| Notes: | See UNICEF website for further survey information. Available at : https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/infant-young-child-feeding/ (last accessed 28.9.21) Citation: United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2021). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding, New York, September 2021. |
| Definitions: | % exclusively breastfed 0-5 months |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Raised blood pressure
Adults, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Men, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Women, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Raised cholesterol
Adults, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Men, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Women, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Raised fasting blood glucose
Men, 2014
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Women, 2014
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Diabetes prevalence
Adults, 2021
| Age: | 20-79 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels, Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2021. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
| Definitions: | Age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes, % |
Adults, 2019
| Age: | 20-79 |
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 9th edn. Brussels,Belgium: 2019. Available at: https://www.diabetesatlas.org |
| Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Adults, 2017
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
| Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Health systems
Economic classification: Upper Middle Income
Health systems summary
Colombia’s health system is dominated by its General Social Security Health System that consists of 3 plans: a contributory plan for workers, a subsidised plan for those who cannot pay and a third plan for workers from certain institutions. Enrolment into this system is compulsory, and so coverage is high. In 2015, coverage was 97.6%. Members of the plans are entitled to similar benefits, benefits that include health promotion, prevention, medication and cash benefits during maternity. Members of the subsidised plan have an inferior benefit package to contributory members. As a result of the aforementioned social health insurance plans, Colombia has made great strides in improving healthcare access and financial protection. Out of pocket expenditure as a proportion of total health expenditure is approximately 15.9%.
Colombia, however, has several vulnerable populations (mostly in rural, remote areas) that still have poor access to care and are at high risk of nutritional deficiencies. These groups include indigenous groups, farmers and Afro-descendent groups.
Indicators
| Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | Some progress |
| Where is the country’s healthcare provider in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | Some progress |
| Is there specialist training available dedicated to the training of health professionals to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage obesity? | Some progress |
| Have any taxes or subsidies been put in place to protect/assist/inform the population around obesity? | No |
| Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in urban areas? | Some progress |
| Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in rural areas? | No |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? | Yes |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? | Yes |
| In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? | Not known |
Summary of stakeholder feedback
In 2009, Colombia passed an ‘obesity law’ that calls obesity a disease and outlines policies and initiatives that should be undertaken for the prevention and control of obesity. Still, one stakeholder feels that the government is too supportive of food producers and multinational companies and there is a general consensus that there is much more work to be done around prevention and treatment. There is said to be little financial investment into the cause.
It is unclear how obesity treatment is typically funded in Colombia, but cost was highlighted as a barrier to treatment. There was a lack of consensus on the BMI level required to be eligible for treatment and how those living with obesity enter the system, but it was agreed that long waiting lists were often the reason why they left.
While there does not appear to be specialist obesity training in Colombia, stakeholders reported that there is some obesity training for certain professionals such as endocrinologists.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 4 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020
