Jamaica
Upper-middle income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- 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 *7/11This 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).
Report cards
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Population breakdowns
Drivers
Insufficient activity
Soft drink consumption
Fruit consumption
Vegetable consumption
Fast food consumption
Processed meat consumption
Grains consumption
Depression
Anxiety
Roots of obesity »
Like all chronic diseases, the root causes/drivers of obesity are complex. Select here to view 'other' root causes/drivers.Breastfeeding
Unaffordable diet
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2016-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-75 |
| Sample size: | 2807 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey III (2016-2017) https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fcaribbeaninstituteofnephrology.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F04%2FJHLS-III-NCD-Metabolic-Risk-Factors-and-CVC-Renal-Conference-2019-01-18Final1-1.pptx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK (last accessed 04.05.2022) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2007-2008
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-74 |
| Sample size: | 2848 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Jamaican Health & Lifestyle Survey 2008 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1999
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15+ |
| Sample size: | 1935 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ichinohe M, Mita R, Saito K, Shinkawa H, Nakaji S, Coombs M, Carney A, Wright B and Fulla EL. (2005). The prevalence of obesity and its relationship with lifestyle factors in Jamaica. Tohoku Journal of Exp Medicine, 207: 21 - 32. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 3041 |
| Area covered: | Regional - St Catherine |
| References: | Global School-Based Student Health Survey, Jamaica (St Catherine) 2023 Fact Sheet. Available at:https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/2023-gshs-fact-sheet-jamaica-(st-catherine) (Accessed: 13.06.25) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Children, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-12 |
| Sample size: | 446 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Kirin Rambaran, Surujpal Teelucksingh, Sesh Gowrie Sankar, Michael Boyne, Godfrey Xuereb, Ambra Giorgetti & Michael B. Zimmermann (2020) High prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in ten Caribbean countries: 2018 cross-sectional data and a narrative review of trends in Trinidad and Tobago, Child and Adolescent Obesity, DOI: 10.1080/2574254X.2020.1847632 |
| Notes: | Not nationally representative but a cluster sampling strategy was used to obtain data across the varying geographical and socioeconomic areas of the country. Students with a history of major medical illnesses (such as malignancy, diabetes mellitus, asthma, thyroid disease, haemoglobinopathies, or congenital genetic disorders), or those taking chronic medications for such diseases were excluded from the study. Note that this study has a small sample size. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2017
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 1667 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/Jamaica_2017_GSHS_FS.pdf?ua=1&ua=1 (last accessed 25.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2010
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 1623 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey, Fact Sheet available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2010_GSHS_FS_Jamaica.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 25.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
0-5 years, 2018-2019
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 135279 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2018. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2020 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2016
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 607 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2016. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2019 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2014
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 584 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2014. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2017 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2012
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1722 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2012. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2015 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2010
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 589 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2010. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2013 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2008-2009
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1561 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2008. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2013 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
Girls, 2008-2009
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1562 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2008. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2013 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2007
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 672 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2007. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2013 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2006
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 641 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2006. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2013 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2004
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 788 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2004. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2005 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2002
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3301 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2002. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2003 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2001
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 628 |
| References: | Other: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2001. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2002 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2000
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 775 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions 2000. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2001 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1999
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 777 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions, 1999. Kingston: The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 2000 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1998
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2442 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions, 1998. Kingston: The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 1999 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1997
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 911 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions, 1997. Kingston: The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 1998 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1996
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 993 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions, 1996. Kingston: The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 1997 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1995
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 995 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions, 1995. Kingston: The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 1997 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1994-1995
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 967 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions, 1994. Kingston: The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 1996 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1993-1994
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 938 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions 1993. Kingston: The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 1995 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1992-1993
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1779 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions 1992. Kingston: The Planning Institute and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 1994 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1991-1992
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 698 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica survey of living conditions - report 1991. Kingston: The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 1992 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1989
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 859 |
| References: | LSMS: Jamaica Living Standards and Measurement Survey 1989. Kingston: The World Bank, 1990 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
