Jordan
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- 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 *8/11This 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
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Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-69 |
| Sample size: | 5713 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Jordan National Stepwise Survey (STEPs) for Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors 2019. https://www.moh.gov.jo/Echobusv3.0/SystemAssets/1dd8ffcb-c9b3-41ed-ba61-16d99670b735.pdf |
| Notes: | The STEPS 2019, is particularly unique because, in addition to Jordanians, it also involved the Syrian Refugee population residing in Jordan. The STEPS survey population included Jordanian and Syrian adults from both genders, aged (18-69 years old), residing in Jordan. The Jordanian sample was captured from all the 12 governorates of Jordan to enhance the geographical representation of the sample. Whereas, the Syrian refugees sample included those residing in four governorates, namely Amman, Zarqa, Irbid and Mafraq, where the majority of the Syrian refugee population exists, and only those residing outside refugee camps. Sample size: 2803 adult Syrians and 2910 Jordanian adults. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2017-2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 10,787 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Department of Statistics/DOS and ICF. 2019. Jordan Population and Family and Health Survey 2017-18. Amman, Jordan, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: DOS and ICF. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-FR346-DHS-Final-Reports.cfm [Accessed 27 March 2019]. |
| 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, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-90 |
| Sample size: | 4056 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ajlouni, K., Khader, Y., Alyousfi, M., Al Nsour, M., Batieha, A., & Jaddou, H. (2020). Metabolic syndrome amongst adults in Jordan: prevalence, trend, and its association with socio-demographic characteristics. Diabetology & metabolic syndrome, 12(1), 100. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-020-00610-7 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2012
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 10312 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. 2013. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2012. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. |
| 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. | |
Women, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6666 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Department of Statistics [Jordan] and ICF Macro. 2010. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2009. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics and ICF Macro. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2007
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 7759 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Department of Statistics [Jordan] and Macro International. 2008. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2007: Key Findings. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics and Macro International. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men, 2007
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Sample size: | 1939 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Jordan STEPS Survey 2007 |
| Notes: | Small sample size |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2002
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 7681 |
| References: | WHO Infobase, Macro international data |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1994-1996
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| Sample size: | 2836 |
| Area covered: | Subnational |
| References: | Ajlouni K, Jaddou H and Batieha A. (1998). Obesity in Jordan. International Journal of Obesity, 22: 624 - 628. |
| Notes: | Data is available for those living with obesity only. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-12 |
| Sample size: | 1163 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Recommended Citation: Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WFP, Jordan Health Aid Society International, Department of Statistics, Biolab, GroundWork. Jordan, National Micronutrient and Nutritional Survey 2019. Amman, Jordan; 2021. |
| Notes: | Settled Jordanian population only. Small male and female sample size. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Children, 2015-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-17 |
| Sample size: | 2702 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Zayed, A.A, Beano, A.M, Haddadin, F.I, Radwan, S.S, Allauzy, S.A, Alkhayyat, M.M, Al-Dahabrah, Z.A, Al-Hasan, Y.G, and Yousef, A.F. 2016. Prevalence of short stature, underweight, overweight, and obesity among school children in Jordan. BMC Public Health. 16:1040. DOI 10.1186/s12889-016-3687-4. |
| Notes: | 85th and 95th centile cut-offs used, Note: Data for 15-18 year-olds available: Musaiger et al. 2016. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in eight Arab countries: comparison between two international standards (ARABEAT-2). Nutrición Hospitalaria. 33(5). pp.1062-1065 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 |
Children, 2010-2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-18 |
| Sample size: | 937 |
| Area covered: | Regional (Amman) |
| References: | Musaiger AO, Al-Mannai M, Tayyem R, Al-Lalla O, Ali EY, Kalam F, Benhamed MM, Saghir S, Halahleh I, Djoudi Z, Chirane M.Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Adolescents in Seven Arab Countries: A Cross-Cultural Study. J Obes. 2012;2012:981390. doi: 10.1155/2012/981390. Epub 2012 Sep 18. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2007
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 2197 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey, Fact Sheet available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/gshs_fs_jordan_2007.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 25.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2004
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 2457 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey, Fact Sheet available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/gshs_fs_jordan_2004.pdf?ua=1 (last access 25.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
% Adults living with obesity, 2002-2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2002: WHO Infobase, Macro international data 2007: Department of Statistics [Jordan] and Macro International. 2008. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2007: Key Findings. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics and Macro International. 2009: Department of Statistics [Jordan] and ICF Macro. 2010. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2009. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics and ICF Macro. 2012: Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. 2013. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2012. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. 2017: Department of Statistics/DOS and ICF. 2019. Jordan Population and Family and Health Survey 2017-18. Amman, Jordan, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: DOS and ICF. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-FR346-DHS-Final-Reports.cfm [Accessed 27 March 2019]. |
| Notes: | Adults aged 15-49 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| 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. | |
% Adults living with obesity, 2002-2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2002: WHO Infobase, Macro international data 2007: Department of Statistics [Jordan] and Macro International. 2008. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2007: Key Findings. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics and Macro International. 2009: Department of Statistics [Jordan] and ICF Macro. 2010. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2009. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics and ICF Macro. 2012: Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. 2013. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2012. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. 2017: Department of Statistics/DOS and ICF. 2019. Jordan Population and Family and Health Survey 2017-18. Amman, Jordan, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: DOS and ICF. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-FR346-DHS-Final-Reports.cfm [Accessed 27 March 2019]. |
| Notes: | Adults aged 15-49 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| 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. | |
% Adults living with obesity, selected countries, 1984-2018
Women
| References: | 1984, 1998: Benjelloun S. Nutrition transition in Morocco. Public Health Nutrition. 2002;5(1A):135-140 1991: Al-Lawati JA, Jousilahti PJ. Prevalence and 10year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Med J 2004;25:346-351 1997: Sibai AM, Hwalla N, Adra N, Rahal B. Prevalence and Covariates of Obesity in Lebanon: Findings from the First Epidemiolgical Study. Obesity Research 203;11:1353-1361 2000: Al-Lawati JA and Jousilahti PJ. (2004). Prevalence and 10 year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Medical Journal 25: 346 - 351. 2002: WHO Infobase, Macro international data 2007: Department of Statistics [Jordan] and Macro International. 2008. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2007: Key Findings. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics and Macro International. 2008: Riyami AA, Elaty MAA, Morsi M et al Oman World Health Survey: Part 1 - Methodology, Sociodemographic Profile and Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases in Oman. Oman Medical Journal 2012; 27(5):425-443 2009: WHO STEPS Report 2009 Lebanon 2011: WHO EMRO Egypt STEPS Survey 2011-12 2012: Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. 2013. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2012. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. 2015: Ministry of Health and Population/Egypt, El-Zanaty and Associates/Egypt, and ICF International. 2015. Egypt Health Issues Survey 2015. Cairo, Egypt: Ministry of Health and Population/Egypt and ICF International. Available at http://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-FR313-DHS-Final-Reports.cfm#sthash.StgV9s6X.dpuf 2016: Egypt National STEPwise Survey For Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors Report 2017 https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/Egypt_National_STEPwise_Survey_For_Noncommunicable_Diseases_Risk_Factors_2017_Report.pdf?ua=1 2017: Executive Summary. Oman National Non-Communicable Disease & their Risk Factors Survey 2017 https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Executive-Summary_NCDsurvey2017_En.pdf (last accessed 17.10.19) |
| 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
| References: | 1984, 1998: Benjelloun S. Nutrition transition in Morocco. Public Health Nutrition. 2002;5(1A):135-140 1991: Al-Lawati JA, Jousilahti PJ. Prevalence and 10year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Med J 2004;25:346-351 1997: Sibai AM, Hwalla N, Adra N, Rahal B. Prevalence and Covariates of Obesity in Lebanon: Findings from the First Epidemiolgical Study. Obesity Research 203;11:1353-1361 2000: Al-Lawati JA and Jousilahti PJ. (2004). Prevalence and 10 year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Medical Journal 25: 346 - 351. 2002: WHO Infobase, Macro international data 2007: Department of Statistics [Jordan] and Macro International. 2008. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2007: Key Findings. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics and Macro International. 2008: Riyami AA, Elaty MAA, Morsi M et al Oman World Health Survey: Part 1 - Methodology, Sociodemographic Profile and Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases in Oman. Oman Medical Journal 2012; 27(5):425-443 2009: WHO STEPS Report 2009 Lebanon 2011: WHO EMRO Egypt STEPS Survey 2011-12 2012: Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. 2013. Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2012. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Department of Statistics/Jordan and ICF International. 2015: Ministry of Health and Population/Egypt, El-Zanaty and Associates/Egypt, and ICF International. 2015. Egypt Health Issues Survey 2015. Cairo, Egypt: Ministry of Health and Population/Egypt and ICF International. Available at http://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-FR313-DHS-Final-Reports.cfm#sthash.StgV9s6X.dpuf 2016: Egypt National STEPwise Survey For Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors Report 2017 https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/Egypt_National_STEPwise_Survey_For_Noncommunicable_Diseases_Risk_Factors_2017_Report.pdf?ua=1 2017: Executive Summary. Oman National Non-Communicable Disease & their Risk Factors Survey 2017 https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Executive-Summary_NCDsurvey2017_En.pdf (last accessed 17.10.19) |
| 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. | |
