Kuwait
High income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Economic impact
- Policies
- Contextual factors
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.Download report card
Comorbidities
Oesophageal cancer
Breast cancer
Colorectal cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Gallbladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Cancer of the uterus
Raised blood pressure
Raised cholesterol
Raised fasting blood glucose
Diabetes prevalence
Ovarian Cancer
Leukemia
Liver & bile duct cancer
Mulitple Myeloma
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma
Thyroid Cancer
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Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2024
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 19+ | 
| Sample size: | 1006 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Annual Report 2024 - Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. (2025). Food and Nutrition Administration https://www.moh.gov.kw/en/FoodNutrition/Pages/FND.aspx [Accessed 24.07.25] | 
| Notes: | NB. Surveillance reliance on health centres as the primary data collection point for population may limit the generalizability of findings for adult participants. Unlike previous KNSS reports, this data includes non-Kuwaitis as well as Kuwaitis. | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 19+ | 
| Sample size: | 1541 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2023. (2024) Food and Nutrition Administration. https://www.moh.gov.kw/FoodNutrition/KNSS%202023.pdf [Accessed 24.07,25] | 
| Notes: | NB. Surveillance reliance on health centres as the primary data collection point for population may limit the generalizability of findings for adult participants. Only Kuwaiti population. Overweight by gender currently unavailable | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2021
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 19+ | 
| Sample size: | 1676 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2021. Food and Nutrition Administration, Ministry of Health. https://www.moh.gov.kw/en/FoodNutrition/Pages/FND.aspx# [Accessed 24.07.25] | 
| Notes: | NB. Surveillance reliance on health centres as the primary data collection point for population may limit the generalizability of findings for adult participants. Only Kuwaiti population | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 19+ | 
| Sample size: | 1772 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2018 . Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. Ministry of Health. https://www.moh.gov.kw/FoodNutrition/KNSSReport2018.pdf (Last accessed 24.07.20) | 
| Notes: | NB. Surveillance reliance on health centres as the primary data collection point for population may limit the generalizability of findings for adult participants. Only Kuwaiti population. Overweight by gender currently unavailable | 
| 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
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 18-69 | 
| Sample size: | 4391 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Kuwait STEPS Survey 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, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 20-64 | 
| Sample size: | 2280 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Al-Nesf Y, Kamel M, El-Shazly MK, Makboul GM, Sadek AA, El-Sayed AM, El-Fararji A. Kuwait STEPS 2006. Kuwait Minsitry of Health, GCC, WHO 2006 | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1998-2000
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 19+ | 
| Sample size: | 9755 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Jackson RT, Al-Mousa Z, Al-Raqua M, Prakash P and Muhanna. (2001). Prevalence of coronary risk factors in healthy adult Kuwaitis. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 52:301 - 311 | 
| Notes: | Not a true representative of the population. Sample were those whose attended the Kuwait Medical Council (KMC) or Public Authority for Social Security (PASS) for a medical check up. | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2024
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 5-19 | 
| Sample size: | 17,879 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Annual Report 2024 - Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. (2025). Food and Nutrition Administration https://www.moh.gov.kw/en/FoodNutrition/Pages/FND.aspx [Accessed 24.07.25] | 
| Notes: | Unlike previous KNSS reports, this data includes non-Kuwaitis as well as Kuwaitis. | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Children, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 5-19 | 
| Sample size: | 12,585 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Annual Report 2022 - Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. https://www.moh.gov.kw/en/FoodNutrition/Pages/FND.aspx# [Accessed 24.07.25] | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Children, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 15-18 | 
| Sample size: | 706 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti adolescents and the perception of body weight by parents or friends. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8726464/ (last accessed 06.06.2022) | 
| Cutoffs: | International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) age- and sex-specific BMI | 
Children, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 5-19 | 
| Sample size: | 12298 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2018 . Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. Ministry of Health. https://www.moh.gov.kw/FoodNutrition/KNSSReport2018.pdf (Last accessed 24.07.20) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Self-reported | 
| Age: | 13-17 | 
| Sample size: | 3637 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2015_GSHS_Kuwait_Fact_Sheet.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 25.11.20) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Children, 2013-2014
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 15-18 | 
| Sample size: | 434 | 
| Area covered: | Subnational | 
| References: | Musaiger A.O et al. 2016. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in eight Arab countries: comparison between two international standards (ARABEAT-2). Nutr Hosp. 33(5). pp. 1062-1065. | 
| Cutoffs: | IOTF | 
Children, 2012-2013
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 6-18 | 
| Sample size: | 6574 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Elkum, N., Al-Arouj, M., Sharifi, M., Shaltout, A., and Bennakhi, A. (2016) Prevalence of childhood obesity in the state of Kuwait. Pediatric Obesity, 11: e30–e34. doi: 10.1111/ijpo.12090 | 
| Cutoffs: | IOTF | 
Children, 2011
| Survey type: | Self-reported | 
| Age: | 13-15 | 
| Sample size: | 2672 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey, Fact Sheet available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2011_GSHS_FS_Kuwait.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 25.11.20) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Children, 2010-2011
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 15-18 | 
| Sample size: | 316 | 
| Area covered: | Regional | 
| 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. | 
| Notes: | Kuwait City | 
| Cutoffs: | IOTF | 
Children, 1999-2000
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 10-14 | 
| Sample size: | 14659 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Al-Isa AN. (2004). Body mass index, overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti intermediate school adolescents aged 10 - 14 years. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 58:1273 - 1277. | 
| Definitions: | This survey did not use Cole et al cut off. Reference for cut off: NCHS (1976 - 1980): Anthropometric reference data and prevalence of overweight. Vital & Health Statistics data from the National Health Survey Series 11, No. 238, DHHS Publication No(PHS)-87-1688, U.S. | 
| Cutoffs: | Other | 
0-5 years, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 2912 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2023. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. NB. Weighted analyses to adjust for unbalanced age distribution using UNPD WPP; National Surveillance System; Kuwaiti citizens | 
| Definitions: | 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. | 
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD | 
0-5 years, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 3192 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System 2022 | 
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. NB. Weighted analyses to adjust for unbalanced age distribution using UNPD WPP; National Surveillance System; Kuwaiti citizens | 
| Definitions: | 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. | 
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD | 
0-5 years, 2021
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 3411 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Kuwait Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (2021 Extract) | 
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. NB. Weighted analyses to adjust for unbalanced age distribution using UNPD WPP; National Surveillance System; Kuwaiti citizens | 
| Definitions: | 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. | 
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD | 
0-5 years, 2020
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 2217 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2020. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. NB. Weighted analyses to adjust for unbalanced age distribution using UNPD WPP; National Surveillance System; Kuwaiti citizens | 
| Definitions: | 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. | 
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD | 
0-5 years, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 3393 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2019. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. NB. Weighted analyses to adjust for unbalanced age distribution using UNPD WPP; National Surveillance System; Kuwaiti citizens | 
| Definitions: | 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. | 
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD | 
0-5 years, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 3383 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2018. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. NB. Weighted analyses to adjust for unbalanced age distribution using UNPD WPP; National Surveillance System; Kuwaiti citizens | 
| Definitions: | 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. | 
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD | 
0-5 years, 2017
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 3406 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2017. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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: | 3099 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2016. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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, 2015
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 2615 | 
| References: | Surveillance: The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2015 Annual Report. Kuwait City. Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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: | 2864 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2014. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 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, 2013
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 3571 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2013. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 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, 2012
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 3860 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2012. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 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, 2011
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 4200 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2011. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 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, 2010
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 4062 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2010. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 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, 2009
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 4099 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2009. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 4199 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2008. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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: | 3949 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2007. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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: | 3422 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2006. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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, 2005
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 5601 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2005. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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: | 4381 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2004. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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, 2003
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 4308 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2003. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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: | 3842 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2002. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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: | 4878 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2001. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| 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, 1996-1997
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| Sample size: | 12376 | 
| References: | Surveillance: Kuwait national nutritional surveillance system. Nutrition unit, Ministry of Health. Al Shaab, Kuwait, 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 | 
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2024
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Sample size: | 1006 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Annual Report 2024 - Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. (2025). Food and Nutrition Administration https://www.moh.gov.kw/en/FoodNutrition/Pages/FND.aspx [Accessed 24.07.25] | 
| Notes: | NB. Surveillance reliance on health centres as the primary data collection point for population may limit the generalizability of findings for adult participants. Unlike previous KNSS, this survey includes non-Kuwaitis as well as Kuwaitis. | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Sample size: | 1541 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2023. (2024) Food and Nutrition Administration. https://www.moh.gov.kw/FoodNutrition/KNSS%202023.pdf [Accessed 24.07,25] | 
| Notes: | NB. Surveillance reliance on health centres as the primary data collection point for population may limit the generalizability of findings for adult participants | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Sample size: | 1772 | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2018 . Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. Ministry of Health. https://www.moh.gov.kw/FoodNutrition/KNSSReport2018.pdf (Last accessed 24.07.20) | 
| Notes: | NB. Surveillance reliance on health centres as the primary data collection point for population may limit the generalizability of findings for adult participants | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2024
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Sample size: | 17,879 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Annual Report 2024 - Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. (2025). Food and Nutrition Administration https://www.moh.gov.kw/en/FoodNutrition/Pages/FND.aspx [Accessed 24.07.25] | 
| Notes: | NB. Includes Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti children | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Children, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Sample size: | 12298 | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2018 . Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. Ministry of Health. https://www.moh.gov.kw/FoodNutrition/KNSSReport2018.pdf (Last accessed 24.07.20) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Children, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Sample size: | 12396 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. 2016. 2016 Annual Report. Available from: https://www.moh.gov.kw/Renderers/ShowPdf.ashx?Id=62b5708c-d2fa-45a5-b677-c02632ac76a7. [Last accessed 30 January 2019] | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Overweight/obesity by region
Adults, 2024
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 19+ | 
| Sample size: | 1006 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Annual Report 2024 - Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. (2025). Food and Nutrition Administration https://www.moh.gov.kw/en/FoodNutrition/Pages/FND.aspx [Accessed 24.07.25] | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 19+ | 
| Sample size: | 1541 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2023. (2024) Food and Nutrition Administration. https://www.moh.gov.kw/FoodNutrition/KNSS%202023.pdf [Accessed 24.07,25] | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 19+ | 
| Sample size: | 1772 | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2018 . Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. Ministry of Health. https://www.moh.gov.kw/FoodNutrition/KNSSReport2018.pdf (Last accessed 24.07.20) | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2024
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 5-19 | 
| Sample size: | 17,879 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Annual Report 2024 - Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. (2025). Food and Nutrition Administration https://www.moh.gov.kw/en/FoodNutrition/Pages/FND.aspx [Accessed 24.07.25] | 
| Notes: | Unlike previous KNSS reports, this data includes non-Kuwaitis as well as Kuwaitis. | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Children, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 5-19 | 
| Sample size: | 12298 | 
| References: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System - Annual Report 2018 . Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System. Ministry of Health. https://www.moh.gov.kw/FoodNutrition/KNSSReport2018.pdf (Last accessed 24.07.20) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHO | 
Double burden of underweight & overweight
Adults, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 20+ | 
| References: | NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults. Lancet 2024; published online Feb 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02750-2. | 
| Notes: | Age Standardised estimates | 
| Definitions: | Combined prevalence of BMI<18.5 kg/m² and BMI>=30 kg/m² (double burden of underweight and obesity) | 
Children, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 5-19 | 
| References: | NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults. Lancet 2024; published online Feb 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02750-2. | 
| Notes: | Age standardised estimates | 
| Definitions: | Combined prevalence of BMI < -2SD and BMI > 2SD (double burden of thinness and obesity) | 
| Cutoffs: | BMI < -2SD and BMI > 2SD | 
0-5 years, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2023. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System 2022 | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2021
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (2021 Extract) | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2020
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2020. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2019. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2018. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2017. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2016. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2015 Annual Report. Kuwait City. Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2014. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 2015 | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2013. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 2015 | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2012
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2012. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 2013 | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2011. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 2013 | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2010. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration, 2013 | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2009. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2008
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2008. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2007
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2007. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2006. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2005
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2005. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2004. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2003
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2003. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2002
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2002. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
0-5 years, 2001
| Survey type: | Measured | 
| Age: | 0-5 | 
| References: | United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2025). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Overlapping Stunting, Wasting and Overweight (Survey Estimates), 2025, New York. For more information, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ [Accessed 06.08.25] | 
| Notes: | Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System [KNSS] 2001. Kuwait city, Kuwait: Food & Nutrition Administration | 
| Definitions: | Combined percentage of children under 5 years of age who are either wasted, stunted, or overweight (falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height, falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age, or falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population) | 
| Cutoffs: | WHZ <-2, HAZ <-2 and WHZ >+2 | 
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, 2009-2015
| 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, 2015
| Survey type: | Self-reported | 
| Age: | 12-17 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| 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, 2015
| Survey type: | Self-reported | 
| Age: | 12-17 | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| 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, 2009-2015
| 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, 2021
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25) | 
| Definitions: | Number living with depression per 100,000 population (adults 20+ years) | 
Men, 2021
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25) | 
| Definitions: | Number living with depression per 100,000 population (adults 20+ years) | 
Women, 2021
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25) | 
| Definitions: | Number living with depression per 100,000 population (adults 20+ years) | 
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 | 
Children, 2021
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25) | 
| Definitions: | Number living with depressive disorder per 100,000 population (Under 20 years of age) | 
Boys, 2021
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25) | 
| Definitions: | Number living with depressive disorder per 100,000 population (Under 20 years of age) | 
Girls, 2021
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25) | 
| Definitions: | Number living with depressive disorder per 100,000 population (Under 20 years of age) | 
Mental health - anxiety disorders
Adults, 2021
| Age: | 20+ | 
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25). | 
| Definitions: | Number living with anxiety per 100,000 population | 
Men, 2021
| Age: | 20+ | 
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25). | 
| Definitions: | Number living with anxiety per 100,000 population | 
Women, 2021
| Age: | 20+ | 
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25). | 
| Definitions: | Number living with anxiety per 100,000 population | 
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 | 
Children, 2021
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25) | 
Boys, 2021
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25) | 
Girls, 2021
| References: | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25) | 
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 | 
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 | 
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 10.01.2207 | 
| 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 10.01.2207 | 
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 | 
Breast cancer
Women, 2022
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
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 10.01.2207 | 
| 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 10.01.2207 | 
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 | 
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
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 10.01.2207 | 
| 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 10.01.2207 | 
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 | 
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 | 
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 | 
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 10.01.2207 | 
| 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 10.01.2207 | 
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 | 
Kidney cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
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 10.01.2207 | 
| 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 10.01.2207 | 
| Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 | 
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence 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 10.01.2207 | 
| 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, 2024
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edn. Brussels, Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2025. http://www.diabetesatlas.org | 
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 (%). | 
Ovarian Cancer
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
Leukemia
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Liver and intrahepatic bile duct Cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
Multiple Myeloma
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Thyroid Cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ | 
| Area covered: | National | 
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] | 
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 | 
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? | Absent | 
| Back-of-pack nutrition declaration? | Present | 
| Color coding? | Absent | 
| 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)? | Present | 
| 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? | Present | 
| Are there mandatory standards for food in schools? | Present | 
| 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? | Unknown | 
| Comprehensive physical activity strategy? | Unknown | 
| Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs? | Present | 
| National target(s) on reducing obesity? | Present | 
| 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? | Present | 
Governance and resource
| Multi-sectoral national co-ordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)? | Present | 
Key
Last updated September 3, 2025
Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions