Gambia
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Actions
Loading data – please wait …
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 *4/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
* Based on estimated data. For more information see Publications
Obesity prevalence
Download report card
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
Obesity prevalence
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 1651 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition Agency (NaNA)-Gambia, UNICEF, Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS), GroundWork. Gambia National Micronutrient Survey 2018. Banjul, Gambia; 2019 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 4024 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Demographic Health Survey The Gambia 2013 |
| 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: | 25-64 |
| References: | Cham B, Scholes S, Ng Fat L, Badjie O, Groce NE, Mindell JS. The silent epidemic of obesity in The Gambia: evidence from a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional health examination survey. BMJ Open. 2020 Jun 1;10(6):e033882. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033882. PMID: 32487572; PMCID: PMC7265034. |
| 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: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 5280 |
| Area covered: | National |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1996
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15+ |
| Sample size: | 5373 |
| References: | Prentice A. The emerging epidemic of obesity in developing coutnries. International Journal of Epidemilogy 2006;35:93-99 |
| 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: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 960 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Juwara A, Huang N, Chien LY, Chen HJ. Stunting and weight statuses of adolescents differ between public and private schools in urban Gambia. Int J Public Health. 2016 Jul;61(6):717-726. doi: 10.1007/s00038-016-0836-6. Epub 2016 May 24. PMID: 27220546. |
| Notes: | Please note these figures are based on children attending urban public schools in Gambia. Currently no nationally representative data are available to us. |
| Cutoffs: | CDC |
Overweight/obesity by education
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 1651 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition Agency (NaNA)-Gambia, UNICEF, Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS), GroundWork. Gambia National Micronutrient Survey 2018. Banjul, Gambia; 2019 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 4024 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Demographic Health Survey The Gambia 2013 |
| 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. | |
Men, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| References: | Cham B, Scholes S, Ng Fat L, Badjie O, Groce NE, Mindell JS. The silent epidemic of obesity in The Gambia: evidence from a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional health examination survey. BMJ Open. 2020 Jun 1;10(6):e033882. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033882. PMID: 32487572; PMCID: PMC7265034. |
| 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: | 25-64 |
| References: | Cham B, Scholes S, Ng Fat L, Badjie O, Groce NE, Mindell JS. The silent epidemic of obesity in The Gambia: evidence from a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional health examination survey. BMJ Open. 2020 Jun 1;10(6):e033882. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033882. PMID: 32487572; PMCID: PMC7265034. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Overweight/obesity by age
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 1651 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition Agency (NaNA)-Gambia, UNICEF, Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS), GroundWork. Gambia National Micronutrient Survey 2018. Banjul, Gambia; 2019 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 4024 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Demographic Health Survey The Gambia 2013 |
| 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 |
| References: | Cham B, Scholes S, Ng Fat L, Badjie O, Groce NE, Mindell JS. The silent epidemic of obesity in The Gambia: evidence from a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional health examination survey. BMJ Open. 2020 Jun 1;10(6):e033882. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033882. PMID: 32487572; PMCID: PMC7265034. |
| 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 region
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 1651 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition Agency (NaNA)-Gambia, UNICEF, Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS), GroundWork. Gambia National Micronutrient Survey 2018. Banjul, Gambia; 2019 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 4024 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Demographic Health Survey The Gambia 2013 |
| 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. | |
Men, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| References: | Cham B, Scholes S, Ng Fat L, Badjie O, Groce NE, Mindell JS. The silent epidemic of obesity in The Gambia: evidence from a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional health examination survey. BMJ Open. 2020 Jun 1;10(6):e033882. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033882. PMID: 32487572; PMCID: PMC7265034. |
| 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: | 25-64 |
| References: | Cham B, Scholes S, Ng Fat L, Badjie O, Groce NE, Mindell JS. The silent epidemic of obesity in The Gambia: evidence from a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional health examination survey. BMJ Open. 2020 Jun 1;10(6):e033882. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033882. PMID: 32487572; PMCID: PMC7265034. |
| 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
Women, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 1651 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition Agency (NaNA)-Gambia, UNICEF, Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS), GroundWork. Gambia National Micronutrient Survey 2018. Banjul, Gambia; 2019 |
| Notes: | Wealth Quintile |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 4024 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Demographic Health Survey The Gambia 2013 |
| 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. | |
Boys, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 960 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Juwara A, Huang N, Chien LY, Chen HJ. Stunting and weight statuses of adolescents differ between public and private schools in urban Gambia. Int J Public Health. 2016 Jul;61(6):717-726. doi: 10.1007/s00038-016-0836-6. Epub 2016 May 24. PMID: 27220546. |
| Cutoffs: | CDC |
Girls, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 960 |
| Area covered: | Urban |
| References: | Juwara A, Huang N, Chien LY, Chen HJ. Stunting and weight statuses of adolescents differ between public and private schools in urban Gambia. Int J Public Health. 2016 Jul;61(6):717-726. doi: 10.1007/s00038-016-0836-6. Epub 2016 May 24. PMID: 27220546. |
| Cutoffs: | CDC |
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 |
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, 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 (%). |
