Kiribati
Lower-middle income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Policies
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *8/10This 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 *10.5/11This 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
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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
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
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Comorbidities
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 483 |
Area covered: | South Tarawa and Butaritari |
References: | Eme, P. E., et al. “Obesity Measures in the Kiribati Population: A Need to Reclassify Body Mass Index Cut-Points.” BMC Public Health, vol. 20, no. 1, 11 July 2020, 10.1186/s12889-020-09217-z. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18-69 |
Sample size: | 1247 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Kiribati STEPS Survey 2015-16 (Factsheet or Report available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/kiribati/en/ Last accessed 09.10.20) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2004-2006
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-64 |
Sample size: | 1755 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Kiribati STEPS Survey 2004-6 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2011
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 13-17 |
Sample size: | 1582 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2011_GSHS_FS_Kiribati.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20) ) |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
0-5 years, 2018-2019
Age: | 0-5 |
Sample size: | 2143 |
References: | MICS: Kiribati 2018-2019 Social Development Indicator Survey |
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, 2018-2019
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 0-5 |
Sample size: | 2143 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Kiribati National Statistics Office. 2019. Kiribati Social Development Indicator Survey 2018-19, Survey Findings Report. South Tarawa, Kiribati: National Statistics Office. https://mics-surveys-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/MICS6/East%20Asia%20and%20the%20Pacific/Kiribati/2018-2019/Survey%20findings/Kiribati%20MICS%20SDIS%202018-19%20Survey%20Findings%20Report_English.pdf (Accessed 15.06.21) |
Notes: | Infants. |
Definitions: | Weight for Height. Overweight = 2SD-3SD, Obesity = > 3SD |
Cutoffs: | Other |
0-5 years, 1985
Age: | 0-5 |
Sample size: | 2941 |
References: | NNS: National nutrition survey, 1985. Government of Kiribati. South Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati, 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 |
Overweight/obesity by education
0-5 years, 2018-2019
Sample size: | 2143 |
References: | MICS: Kiribati 2018-2019 Social Development Indicator Survey |
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 |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 1247 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Kiribati STEPS Survey Report 2015-16 (available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2015-2016_Kiribati_STEPS_report.pdf?ua=1 last accessed 09.10.20) |
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, 2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 483 |
Area covered: | South Tarawa and Butaritari |
References: | Eme, P. E., et al. “Obesity Measures in the Kiribati Population: A Need to Reclassify Body Mass Index Cut-Points.” BMC Public Health, vol. 20, no. 1, 11 July 2020, 10.1186/s12889-020-09217-z. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
0-5 years, 2018-2019
Sample size: | 2143 |
References: | MICS: Kiribati 2018-2019 Social Development Indicator Survey |
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, 2018-2019
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 2143 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Kiribati National Statistics Office. 2019. Kiribati Social Development Indicator Survey 2018-19, Survey Findings Report. South Tarawa, Kiribati: National Statistics Office. https://mics-surveys-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/MICS6/East%20Asia%20and%20the%20Pacific/Kiribati/2018-2019/Survey%20findings/Kiribati%20MICS%20SDIS%202018-19%20Survey%20Findings%20Report_English.pdf (Accessed 15.06.21) |
Notes: | Infants. |
Definitions: | Weight for Height. Overweight = 2SD-3SD, Obesity = > 3SD |
Cutoffs: | Other |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
0-5 years, 2018-2019
Sample size: | 2143 |
References: | MICS: Kiribati 2018-2019 Social Development Indicator Survey |
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 |
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2022
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 18+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | WHO (2024). Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18-years age-standardized estimate in 2022. Available at https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/prevalence-of-insufficient-physical-activity-among-adults-aged-18-years-(age-standardized-estimate)-(-) |
Definitions: | Percent of population attaining less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or less than 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or equivalent. |
Men, 2022
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 18+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | WHO (2024). Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18-years age-standardized estimate in 2022. Available at https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/prevalence-of-insufficient-physical-activity-among-adults-aged-18-years-(age-standardized-estimate)-(-) |
Definitions: | Percent of population attaining less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or less than 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or equivalent. |
Women, 2022
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 18+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | WHO (2024). Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18-years age-standardized estimate in 2022. Available at https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/prevalence-of-insufficient-physical-activity-among-adults-aged-18-years-(age-standardized-estimate)-(-) |
Definitions: | Percent of population attaining less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or less than 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or equivalent. |
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 |
Children, 2016
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Boys, 2016
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Girls, 2016
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Children, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Boys, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Girls, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption
Children, 2010-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 12-17 |
References: | Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system |
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) |
Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption
Children, 2010-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 12-17 |
References: | Global School-based Student Health Surveys. Beal et al (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287. Sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system |
Definitions: | Prevalence of less-than-daily fruit consumption (% less-than-daily fruit consumption) |
Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption
Children, 2010-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 12-17 |
References: | Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system |
Definitions: | Prevalence of less-than-daily vegetable consumption (% less-than-daily vegetable consumption) |
Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption
Children, 2010-2015
Age: | 12-17 |
References: | Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system |
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
0-5 years, 2007-2022
References: | Kiribati 2018-2019 Social Development Indicator Survey |
Notes: | Full details are available. Original citation United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2023). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding, New York, October 2023. |
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 (%). |
Adults, 2017
References: | Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
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? | Absent |
Front-of-package labelling? | Absent |
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration? | Absent |
Color coding? | Absent |
Warning label? | Absent |
Regulation and marketing
Are there fiscal policies on unhealthy products? | Present |
Tax on unhealthy foods? | Absent |
Tax on unhealthy drinks? | Present |
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)? | Absent |
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? | Absent |
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? | Absent |
Mandatory restriction on broadcast media? | Absent |
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? | Absent |
Are there any mandatory nutrient limits in any manufactured food products? | Absent |
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? | Absent |
Comprehensive physical activity strategy? | Absent |
Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs? | Absent |
National target(s) on reducing obesity? | Present |
Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment? | Absent |
Promotion of breastfeeding? | Absent |
Monitoring and surveillance
Monitoring of the prevalence and incidence for the main obesity-related NCDs and risk factors? | Present |
Within 5 years? | Present |
Governance and resource
Multi-sectoral national co-ordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)? | Absent |
Key
Present
Present (voluntary)
Incoming
Absent
Unknown
Last updated September 13, 2022
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