Iran
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Economic impact
- Policies
- Contextual factors
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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).
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2021
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 27745 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Djalalinia S, Yoosefi M, Shahin S, Ghasemi E, Rezaei N, Ahmadi N, Rezaei N, Azmin M, Rezaei S, Nasserinejad M, Mohammadi E, Haghshenas R, Shabestari AN, Jamshidi H, Dastjerdi MV, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. The levels of BMI and patterns of obesity and overweight during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from the Iran STEPs 2021 survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 1;13:1043894. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1043894. PMID: 36589796; PMCID: PMC9798439.v |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
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: | 15-64 |
Sample size: | 12000 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Iran 2011 STEPS National Report https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/iran/steps/iran-2011-steps-report.pdf?sfvrsn=77f321fd_2&download=true (Accessed 14.09.23) |
Notes: | 12000 Sample size is for full survey, approx 8000 took part in physical measurements. |
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, 2001-2003
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 18307 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ebrahimi, S., Leech, R.M., McNaughton, S.A., Abdollahi, M., Houshiarrad, A. and Livingstone, K.M. (2021), Associations between diet quality and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Iranian households:a cross-sectional study. Obes Sci Pract. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.536 |
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, 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)' |
Definitions: | Cut off: WHO 85th & 95th Centile |
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, 2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 7-18 |
Sample size: | 14274 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Motlagh ME, Ziaodini H, Qorbani M, Taheri M, Aminaei T, Goodarzi A, Ataie-Jafari A, Rezaei F, Ahadi Z, Shafiee G, Shahsavari A, Heshmat R, Kelishadi R. Methodology and early findings of the fifth survey of childhood and adolescence surveillance and prevention of adult noncommunicable disease: The caspian-v study. Int J Prev Med 2017;8:4. https://www.ijpvmjournal.net/text.asp?2017/8/1/4/198915 |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
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. |
Definitions: | 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. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
% Adults living with obesity, 2001-2021
Men
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 2001: Ebrahimi, S., Leech, R.M., McNaughton, S.A., Abdollahi, M., Houshiarrad, A. and Livingstone, K.M. (2021), Associations between diet quality and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Iranian households:a cross-sectional study. Obes Sci Pract. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.536 2011: Iran 2011 STEPS National Report https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/iran/steps/iran-2011-steps-report.pdf?sfvrsn=77f321fd_2&download=true (Accessed 14.09.23) 2016: 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. 2021: Djalalinia S, Yoosefi M, Shahin S, Ghasemi E, Rezaei N, Ahmadi N, Rezaei N, Azmin M, Rezaei S, Nasserinejad M, Mohammadi E, Haghshenas R, Shabestari AN, Jamshidi H, Dastjerdi MV, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. The levels of BMI and patterns of obesity and overweight during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from the Iran STEPs 2021 survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 1;13:1043894. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1043894. PMID: 36589796; PMCID: PMC9798439.v |
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. |
Men and women
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 2001: Ebrahimi, S., Leech, R.M., McNaughton, S.A., Abdollahi, M., Houshiarrad, A. and Livingstone, K.M. (2021), Associations between diet quality and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Iranian households:a cross-sectional study. Obes Sci Pract. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.536 2011: Iran 2011 STEPS National Report https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/iran/steps/iran-2011-steps-report.pdf?sfvrsn=77f321fd_2&download=true (Accessed 14.09.23) 2016: 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. 2021: Djalalinia S, Yoosefi M, Shahin S, Ghasemi E, Rezaei N, Ahmadi N, Rezaei N, Azmin M, Rezaei S, Nasserinejad M, Mohammadi E, Haghshenas R, Shabestari AN, Jamshidi H, Dastjerdi MV, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. The levels of BMI and patterns of obesity and overweight during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from the Iran STEPs 2021 survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 1;13:1043894. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1043894. PMID: 36589796; PMCID: PMC9798439.v |
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
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 2001: Ebrahimi, S., Leech, R.M., McNaughton, S.A., Abdollahi, M., Houshiarrad, A. and Livingstone, K.M. (2021), Associations between diet quality and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Iranian households:a cross-sectional study. Obes Sci Pract. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.536 2011: Iran 2011 STEPS National Report https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/iran/steps/iran-2011-steps-report.pdf?sfvrsn=77f321fd_2&download=true (Accessed 14.09.23) 2016: 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. 2021: Djalalinia S, Yoosefi M, Shahin S, Ghasemi E, Rezaei N, Ahmadi N, Rezaei N, Azmin M, Rezaei S, Nasserinejad M, Mohammadi E, Haghshenas R, Shabestari AN, Jamshidi H, Dastjerdi MV, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. The levels of BMI and patterns of obesity and overweight during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from the Iran STEPs 2021 survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 1;13:1043894. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1043894. PMID: 36589796; PMCID: PMC9798439.v |
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, 2021
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 27745 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Djalalinia S, Yoosefi M, Shahin S, Ghasemi E, Rezaei N, Ahmadi N, Rezaei N, Azmin M, Rezaei S, Nasserinejad M, Mohammadi E, Haghshenas R, Shabestari AN, Jamshidi H, Dastjerdi MV, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. The levels of BMI and patterns of obesity and overweight during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from the Iran STEPs 2021 survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 1;13:1043894. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1043894. PMID: 36589796; PMCID: PMC9798439.v |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
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, 2021
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 27745 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Djalalinia S, Yoosefi M, Shahin S, Ghasemi E, Rezaei N, Ahmadi N, Rezaei N, Azmin M, Rezaei S, Nasserinejad M, Mohammadi E, Haghshenas R, Shabestari AN, Jamshidi H, Dastjerdi MV, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. The levels of BMI and patterns of obesity and overweight during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from the Iran STEPs 2021 survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 1;13:1043894. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1043894. PMID: 36589796; PMCID: PMC9798439.v |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
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. |
Children, 2010-2011
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 2000 |
Area covered: | Shiraz |
References: | Prevalence of Childhood Obesity and Hypertension in South of Iran. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23880805/ (last accessed 31.05.2022) |
Cutoffs: | BMI-for-age Z-score |
Overweight/obesity by region
Adults, 2021
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 27745 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Djalalinia S, Yoosefi M, Shahin S, Ghasemi E, Rezaei N, Ahmadi N, Rezaei N, Azmin M, Rezaei S, Nasserinejad M, Mohammadi E, Haghshenas R, Shabestari AN, Jamshidi H, Dastjerdi MV, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. The levels of BMI and patterns of obesity and overweight during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from the Iran STEPs 2021 survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 1;13:1043894. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1043894. PMID: 36589796; PMCID: PMC9798439.v |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
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 |
Children, 2012-2013
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 6738 |
Area covered: | Fars Province |
References: | Overweight and Obesity among Preschool Children from Fars Province of Iran: Prevalence and Associated Factors. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7189086/ (last accessed 31.05.2022) |
Cutoffs: | NCHS/CDC cut-off points |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Adults, 2021
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 27745 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Djalalinia S, Yoosefi M, Shahin S, Ghasemi E, Rezaei N, Ahmadi N, Rezaei N, Azmin M, Rezaei S, Nasserinejad M, Mohammadi E, Haghshenas R, Shabestari AN, Jamshidi H, Dastjerdi MV, Larijani B, Farzadfar F. The levels of BMI and patterns of obesity and overweight during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from the Iran STEPs 2021 survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 1;13:1043894. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1043894. PMID: 36589796; PMCID: PMC9798439.v |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
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 |
% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months
Children, 2010-2019
Area covered: | National |
References: | Iran's Multiple Indicator Demographic and Health Survey - 2010. |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 10.01.2183 |
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 (%). |
Economic impact of overweight and obesity
Policies, Interventions and Actions
Contextual factors
Disclaimer: These contextual factors should be interpreted with care. Results are updated as regularly as possible and use very specific criteria. The criteria used and full definitions are available for download at the bottom of this page.
Tap on a tick to find out more about policies influencing this factor.
Labelling
Is there mandatory nutrition labelling? | Present |
Front-of-package labelling? | Present |
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration? | Present |
Color coding? | Present |
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)? | Present |
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? | Present |
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? | Present |
Mandatory restriction on broadcast media? | Present |
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? | Present |
Nutrition standards for public sector procurement? | Absent |
Political will and support
National obesity strategy or nutrition and physical activity national strategy? | Absent |
National obesity strategy? | Absent |
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
Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions