Iran
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- 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 *5.5/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
* Based on estimated data. For more information see Publications
Obesity prevalence
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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, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Sample size: | 31050 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Djalalinia S, Saeedi Moghaddam S, Sheidaei A, Rezaei N, Naghibi Iravani SS, Modirian M, Zokaei H, Yoosefi M, Gohari K, Kousha A, Abdi Z, Naderimagham S, Soroush AR, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. Patterns of Obesity and Overweight in the Iranian Population: Findings of STEPs 2016. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Feb 26;11:42. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00042. PMID: 32174887; PMCID: PMC7055062. |
| 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: | 15-65 |
| Sample size: | 2818 |
| Area covered: | Subnational (East-Azerbaijan) |
| References: | Tabrizi et al. (2018). Prevalence and Associated Factors of Overweight or Obesity and Abdominal Obesity in Iranian Population: A Population-based Study of Northwestern Iran. Iran J Public Health.47(10):1583-1592. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-50 |
| Sample size: | 1250 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Yaghoobi, M. et al. 2015. The Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight in Iranian Women: A Study in Zahedan (Southeast of Iran). Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences. 3(3F). pp. 1411-1415. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 8639 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Bakhshi E, Koohpayehzadeh J, Seifi B, et al. Obesity and Related Factors in Iran: The STEPS Survey, 2011. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal. 2015;17(6):e22479. doi:10.5812/ircmj.17(6)2015.22479. |
| 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: | 15-64 |
| Sample size: | 29101 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO EMRO IRAN STEPS SURVEY 2009 http://www.who.int/chp/steps/iran/en/ (last accessed 18th November 2014) |
| 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: | 15-64 |
| Sample size: | 89404 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO infobase. Alikhani S. NCD risk factor surveillance system, Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, I. R. Iran. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1993-1994
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20-74 |
| Sample size: | 3378 |
| Area covered: | Southern Iran |
| References: | Pishdad GR. Overweight and obesity in adults aged 20-74 in southern Iran. IJO. 1996;20:963-965 |
| 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: | 10-12 |
| Sample size: | 2506 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Moradi G, Mostafavi F, Azadi N, Esmaeilnasab N, Ghaderi E.Socioeconomic Inequality in Childhood Obesity.J Res Health Sci. 2017 Aug 15;17(3):E1-6. |
| Notes: | Region: Sanandaj, Western Iran, Cut off: WHO 85th & 95th Centile NB. Combined child 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 21.10.20)' |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Girls, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 12-18 |
| Sample size: | 3178 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Shayan-Moghadam, R., Heidari-Beni, M., Riahi, R., Motlagh, M.E., Fesharaki, S., Heshmat, R., Daniali, S.S. and Kelishadi, R., 2020. Assessment of Lifestyle and Eating Habits among a Nationally Representative Sample of Iranian Adolescent Girls: the CASPIAN-V Study. Archives of Iranian medicine, 23(8), pp.522-529. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Children, 2012-2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-12 |
| Sample size: | 2195 |
| Area covered: | Semnan Province |
| References: | Karimi B, Ghorbani R. Overweight and Obesity in the Iranian Schoolchildren. Middle East J Rehabil Health. 2015 January; 2(1): e24433. |
| Notes: | CDC 85th/95th Centile NOT IOTF International Cut off |
| Cutoffs: | CDC |
Children, 2003-2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-18 |
| Sample size: | 21111 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Kelishadi R, Ardalan G, Gheiratmand R, Majdzadeh R, Hosseini M, Gouya MM, Razaghi EM, Delavari A, Motaghian M, Barekati H, Mahmoud-Arabi MS, Lock K; Caspian Study Group. Thinness, overweight and obesity in a national sample of Iranian children and adolescents: CASPIAN study. Child Care Health Dev. 2008;34(1):44-54. |
| 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 |
Overweight/obesity by education
Adults, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19+ |
| Sample size: | 31050 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Djalalinia S, Saeedi Moghaddam S, Sheidaei A, Rezaei N, Naghibi Iravani SS, Modirian M, Zokaei H, Yoosefi M, Gohari K, Kousha A, Abdi Z, Naderimagham S, Soroush AR, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. Patterns of Obesity and Overweight in the Iranian Population: Findings of STEPs 2016. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Feb 26;11:42. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00042. PMID: 32174887; PMCID: PMC7055062. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 2004-2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-65 |
| Sample size: | 89404 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Janghorbani, M., Amini, M., Willett, W. C., Gouya, M. M., Delavari, A., Alikhani, S. and Mahdavi, A. (2007), First Nationwide Survey of Prevalence of Overweight, Underweight, and Abdominal Obesity in Iranian Adults. Obesity, 15: 2797–2808. doi: 10.1038/oby.2007.332 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2004-2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-65 |
| Sample size: | 89404 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Janghorbani, M., Amini, M., Willett, W. C., Gouya, M. M., Delavari, A., Alikhani, S. and Mahdavi, A. (2007), First Nationwide Survey of Prevalence of Overweight, Underweight, and Abdominal Obesity in Iranian Adults. Obesity, 15: 2797–2808. doi: 10.1038/oby.2007.332 |
| 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: | 10-12 |
| Sample size: | 2506 |
| Area covered: | Sub National - City of SANANDAJ |
| References: | Moradi G, Mostafavi F, Azadi N, Esmaeilnasab N, Ghaderi E.Socioeconomic Inequality in Childhood Obesity.J Res Health Sci. 2017 Aug 15;17(3):E1-6. |
| Notes: | WHO Cut off 85th & 95th Centile Socioeconomic & Educational status based on self report questionnaire Estimated calculated by World Obesity, not age standardised |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2012-2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-12 |
| Sample size: | 2195 |
| Area covered: | Regional - Semnan Province |
| References: | Batool Karimi; Raheb Ghorbani. Overweight and Obesity in the Iranian Schoolchildren. Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health 01/2015; 2(1). DOI: 10.17795/mejrh-24433 |
| Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by Fathers' Educational Level. Overweight is defined as a BMI ≥ 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Obesity is defined as a BMI ≥ 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 31050 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Djalalinia S, Saeedi Moghaddam S, Sheidaei A, Rezaei N, Naghibi Iravani SS, Modirian M, Zokaei H, Yoosefi M, Gohari K, Kousha A, Abdi Z, Naderimagham S, Soroush AR, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. Patterns of Obesity and Overweight in the Iranian Population: Findings of STEPs 2016. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Feb 26;11:42. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00042. PMID: 32174887; PMCID: PMC7055062. |
| 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 |
| Sample size: | 2818 |
| Area covered: | Subnational (East-Azerbaijan) |
| References: | Tabrizi et al. (2018). Prevalence and Associated Factors of Overweight or Obesity and Abdominal Obesity in Iranian Population: A Population-based Study of Northwestern Iran. Iran J Public Health.47(10):1583-1592. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2004-2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 89404 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Janghorbani, M., Amini, M., Willett, W. C., Gouya, M. M., Delavari, A., Alikhani, S. and Mahdavi, A. (2007), First Nationwide Survey of Prevalence of Overweight, Underweight, and Abdominal Obesity in Iranian Adults. Obesity, 15: 2797–2808. doi: 10.1038/oby.2007.332 |
| 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
Adults, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19+ |
| Sample size: | 31050 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Djalalinia S, Saeedi Moghaddam S, Sheidaei A, Rezaei N, Naghibi Iravani SS, Modirian M, Zokaei H, Yoosefi M, Gohari K, Kousha A, Abdi Z, Naderimagham S, Soroush AR, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. Patterns of Obesity and Overweight in the Iranian Population: Findings of STEPs 2016. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Feb 26;11:42. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00042. PMID: 32174887; PMCID: PMC7055062. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 2004-2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-65 |
| Sample size: | 89404 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Janghorbani, M., Amini, M., Willett, W. C., Gouya, M. M., Delavari, A., Alikhani, S. and Mahdavi, A. (2007), First Nationwide Survey of Prevalence of Overweight, Underweight, and Abdominal Obesity in Iranian Adults. Obesity, 15: 2797–2808. doi: 10.1038/oby.2007.332 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2004-2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-65 |
| Sample size: | 89404 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Janghorbani, M., Amini, M., Willett, W. C., Gouya, M. M., Delavari, A., Alikhani, S. and Mahdavi, A. (2007), First Nationwide Survey of Prevalence of Overweight, Underweight, and Abdominal Obesity in Iranian Adults. Obesity, 15: 2797–2808. doi: 10.1038/oby.2007.332 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2012-2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-12 |
| Sample size: | 2195 |
| Area covered: | Regional - Semnan Province |
| References: | Batool Karimi; Raheb Ghorbani. Overweight and Obesity in the Iranian Schoolchildren. Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health 01/2015; 2(1). DOI: 10.17795/mejrh-24433 |
| Notes: | Overweight is defined as a BMI ≥ 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Obesity is defined as a BMI ≥ 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Adults, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19+ |
| Sample size: | 31050 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Djalalinia S, Saeedi Moghaddam S, Sheidaei A, Rezaei N, Naghibi Iravani SS, Modirian M, Zokaei H, Yoosefi M, Gohari K, Kousha A, Abdi Z, Naderimagham S, Soroush AR, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. Patterns of Obesity and Overweight in the Iranian Population: Findings of STEPs 2016. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Feb 26;11:42. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00042. PMID: 32174887; PMCID: PMC7055062. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2014-2015
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 15-84 |
| Sample size: | 87,240 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Emamiana, M.H, Fatehb, M, Hosseinpoorc, A.R, Alamid, A, and Fotouhi, A. 2017. Obesity and its socioeconomic determinants in Iran. Economics and Human Biology. 26. pp. 144-150. |
| Notes: | NOTE: this data is from self-report. |
| 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: | 10-12 |
| Sample size: | 2506 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Moradi G, Mostafavi F, Azadi N, Esmaeilnasab N, Ghaderi E.Socioeconomic Inequality in Childhood Obesity.J Res Health Sci. 2017 Aug 15;17(3):E1-6. |
| Notes: | Sub National - City of SANANDAJ WHO Cut off 85th & 95th Centile Socioeconomic & Educational status based on self report questionnaire Estimated calculated by World Obesity, not age standardised |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
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). |
Health systems
Economic classification: Upper Middle Income
Health systems summary
The Iranian health system has undergone several reforms in the past few decades. Currently, there is considered to be universal coverage of primary care services, but there are continued challenges for secondary and tertiary care. Primary care is fully financed by the government. The “Health Network System” was established in 1986 to increase access to primary care, and now health networks are accessible to all and provide basic preventative and treatment services mostly free of charge. The fact that public coverage extends only to primary care is relatively unique.
The ‘Universal Health Insurance Act’ of 1994 resulted in improved insurance coverage for secondary and tertiary care - 95% of the population was considered to be covered by 2014. There are 4 main insurance organisations; one for employees of the formal private sector and their dependents, one for government employees, the self-employed, students and others, one for military personnel and finally, one for those with low-income. Criticisms of the insurance system include the multiple risk pools and differing benefit packages, resulting in great fragmentation. Out of pocket expenditure in Iran is estimated to be 50%.
Indicators
| Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | Defined as disease |
| 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? | No |
| 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? | Yes |
| Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in rural areas? | Some progress |
| 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
It appears that obesity is high on the agenda in Iran. Stakeholders reported that the Ministry of Health is currently trying to raise awareness through education, with obesity health education provided in schools, hospitals and public places. Other prevention efforts noted included mandatory food labelling, but it is acknowledged that more needs to be done. Overall, it was agreed that the Ministry of Health and civil society in Iran were making a concerted effort to inform people about obesity and its effects on health.
There is also said to be some action at the healthcare provider level. At the primary care level, there are obesity services available and health education in the form of brochures. At the tertiary level, it was claimed that most hospitals had obesity clinics where there was a focus on treatment rather than prevention. It appears that a whole range of obesity treatment is covered by social insurance. However, stakeholders reported that in practice, treatment is paid for by insurance and out of pocket payments.
It was reported that it is fairly straightforward to enter the health system in Iran (although access is poorer in rural areas). In primary care, nutrition counselling is said to be available to all and from primary care, general practitioners can refer individuals onto tertiary care. This referral process however is said to not be well-established. There was no consensus on the BMI level that obesity treatment was started in Iran.
There is no specialist training in obesity medicine in Iran, except for a single obesity surgery fellowship. Obesity treatment is said to be most often left to endocrinologists.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 5 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020
