• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Trends over time
  • Population breakdowns
  • Drivers
  • Comorbidities
  • Policies
  • Contextual factors
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Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2010

Survey type:Measured
Age:18+
Sample size:5100
Area covered:National
References:Nie, Peng & León, Alina & Díaz, María & Sousa-Poza, Alfonso. (2017). The rise in obesity in Cuba from 2001 to 2010: An analysis of National Survey on Risk Factors and Chronic Diseases data. Economics & Human Biology. 28. 10.1016/j.ehb.2017.11.003.
Notes:NB. Combined adult data estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female 2019 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 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, 1998

Survey type:Measured
Age:20-64
Sample size:4197
Area covered:National
References:Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A and Esquivel M. (2002). The Nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties: an overview. Public Health Nutrition, 5 (1A): 129 - 133.
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:20-64
Sample size:3995
References:Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A, Esquivel M. The nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties:an overview. Public health Nutrition 2002:5(1A), 129-133
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1982

Survey type:Measured
Age:20-64
Sample size:5833
References:Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A, Esquivel M. The nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties:an overview. Public health Nutrition 2002:5(1A), 129-133
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2019

Survey type:Measured
Age:0-5
Sample size:5227
Area covered:National
References:Dirección de Registros Médicos y Estadísticas de Salud y UNICEF Cuba, 2020. Cuba Encuesta de Indicadores Múltiples por Conglomerados 2019, Informe de resultados de la encuesta. La Habana, Cuba: Dirección de Registros Médicos y Estadísticas de Salud. MINSAP. Available at https://temas.sld.cu/estadisticassalud/files/2021/02/MICS6_Cuba-2019_compressed.pdf (last accessed 11.05.21)
Notes:NB Infants only
Definitions:+2SD, +3SD Please note overweight is presented excluding obesity
Cutoffs:Other

Overweight/obesity by education

Children, 2019

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:5227
Area covered:National
References:Dirección de Registros Médicos y Estadísticas de Salud y UNICEF Cuba, 2020. Cuba Encuesta de Indicadores Múltiples por Conglomerados 2019, Informe de resultados de la encuesta. La Habana, Cuba: Dirección de Registros Médicos y Estadísticas de Salud. MINSAP.
Notes:Infants only
Definitions:+2SD, +3SD When presented overweight excludes obesity
Cutoffs:Other

Overweight/obesity by region

Children, 2019

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:5227
Area covered:National
References:Dirección de Registros Médicos y Estadísticas de Salud y UNICEF Cuba, 2020. Cuba Encuesta de Indicadores Múltiples por Conglomerados 2019, Informe de resultados de la encuesta. La Habana, Cuba: Dirección de Registros Médicos y Estadísticas de Salud. MINSAP.
Notes:NB Infants only
Definitions:+2SD, +3 SD When data are presented overweight excludes obesity
Cutoffs:Other

Insufficient physical activity

Adults, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7

Men, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7

Women, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7

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:Cuba Encuesta de Indicadores Múltiples por Conglomerados 2019, Informe de resultados de la encuesta. La Habana, Cuba: Dirección de Registros Médicos y Estadísticas de Salud.
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 10.01.2105
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 (%).

Policies, Interventions and Actions

NCD Country Profiles 2018 (Obesity Targets)

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

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

Smart School Meals

School meals programmes that not only feed children but nourish them while promoting healthy eating habits represent a unique instrument to simultaneously promote human development and support health and education goals. When integrated in broader social protection systems and linked to other programmes, they maximize their potential and the return on investment of national budgets. The region’s prominent effort in institutionalizing and scaling up universal, quality school meals programmes deserves dedicated attention to better understand nutrition-sensitive approaches and the opportunities that lie ahead of us all to best serve schoolchildren and vulnerable populations. Children who are well nourished and healthy can learn and thrive.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2017 (ongoing)
Target age group:Children
Organisation:World Food Programme
Find out more:docs.wfp.org
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Smart School Meals Nutrition-Sensitive National Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean A Review of 16 Countries [Internet]. 2017d. Available from: https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000019946/download/?_ga=2.241320961.2085125925.1595691056-184791230.1593606330

Multisectoral programme to reduce overweight and obesity

Multisectoral programme to reduce overweight and obesity

Categories:Evidence of Community Interventions/Campaign
Year(s):2015 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Linked document:Download linked document

Reglamento Tecnico Centroamericano. Etiquetado General de los Alimentos Previamente Envasados (Preenvasados) [Central American Technical Regulation. General Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (Prepackaged)]

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

Categories:Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Year(s):2012 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Information provided with kind permission of WHO Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA): https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en/node/86430 (last accessed 10.08.22)

Food-based dietary guidelines

Dietary guidelines for the Cuban population over two years of age (Spanish: Guías alimentarias para la población cubana mayor de dos años). Dietary guidelines for Cuban children younger than two years of age. Technical manual for health teams (Spanish: Guías alimentarias para niños y niñas cubanos hasta dos años de edad. Documento técnico para los equipos de salud).

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2009 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene of Cuba
Find out more:www.fao.org
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Cuba [Internet]. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [cited 2020 Jul 25]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-based-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/cuba/es/

National plan for the control and prevention of obesity

National plan for the control and prevention of obesity

Categories:Evidence of National Obesity Strategy/Policy or Action plan
Year(s):2008 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Linked document:Download linked document

MINSAP

Coordinates health programs and nutrition actions

Categories:Evidence of a multi-sectoral national coordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)
Year(s):1994 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children

Food Security Policy

This program performs the systematic surveillance of food and chemical and biological contaminants that transmit diseases, it evaluates the diet that is offered in schools and workplace cafeterias and controls the monitoring of maternal and child nutrition. As a part of the system, monitoring sites are created in order to monitor food and nutrition in all provinces.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Food and nutrition security policy
Find out more:plataformacelac.org
References:Cuba: Food Security Policy [Internet]. plataformacelac.org. [cited 2020s Jul 25]. Available from: https://plataformacelac.org/en/politica/248#:~:text=In%20the%20Food%20Security%20Policy

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

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

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

No actions could be found for the above criteria.

Contextual factors

Disclaimer: These contextual factors should be interpreted with care. Results are updated as regularly as possible and use very specific criteria. The criteria used and full definitions are available for download at the bottom of this page.

Tap on a tick to find out more about policies influencing this factor.

Labelling

Is there mandatory nutrition labelling?Present
Front-of-package labelling?Unknown
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration?Unknown
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?Present
Are there any mandatory nutrient limits in any manufactured food products?Absent
Nutrition standards for public sector procurement?Absent

Political will and support

National obesity strategy or nutrition and physical activity national strategy?Present
National obesity strategy?Present
National childhood obesity strategy?Absent
Comprehensive nutrition strategy?Unknown
Comprehensive physical activity strategy?Unknown
Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs?Present
National target(s) on reducing obesity?Present
Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment?Unknown
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?Absent

Governance and resource

Multi-sectoral national co-ordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)?Present

Key

Present
Present (voluntary)
Incoming
Absent
Unknown

Last updated September 13, 2022

See more policies here

Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions

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