Kuwait
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Health systems
- Actions
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National obesity risk *7/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *8.5/11This 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).
* Based on estimated data. For more information see Publications
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.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.Comorbidities
Health systems
Obesity prevalence
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) |
| Notes: | 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, 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 |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.cdc.gov/gshs/countries/index.htm (last accessed 28.04.20) |
| Notes: | WHO cutoffs. |
| 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. |
| Notes: | IOTF cut-offs used. |
| 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 |
| Notes: | IOTF cut-offs |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
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 IOTF International Cut Off |
| 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. |
| Notes: | 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 |
Overweight/obesity by age
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) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
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, 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, 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 |
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Men, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Women, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
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, 2008-2015
| 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, 2008-2015
| 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, 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, 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 |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) 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, 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 (%). |
Health systems
Economic classification: High Income
Health systems summary
Kuwait has a state-funded health system that is ‘free at the point of entry’ for Kuwaiti nationals. Non-citizens who are resident in Kuwait are entitled to a health insurance card for which they pay an annual fee. The state system provides primary, secondary and tertiary care, though these state services often have long waiting times. As a result, state hospitals are understood to discourage expatriates – who make up approximately two thirds of the Kuwaiti population - from attending, to take the pressure off waiting times. It is mandatory for expatriates to have private healthcare, and so they are encouraged to visit private hospitals.
Historically, the Government were prepared to pay for the cost of overseas medical treatment if treatment were not available locally. This was open to abuse and so recent austerity measures have reduced the numbers obtaining approval for treatment abroad paid for by the government.
Indicators
| Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | No |
| Where is the country’s healthcare provider in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | No |
| Is there specialist training available dedicated to the training of health professionals to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage obesity? | No |
| Have any taxes or subsidies been put in place to protect/assist/inform the population around obesity? | No |
| Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in urban areas? | Some progress |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? | No |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? | No |
| In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? | Out of pocket |
Summary of stakeholder feedback
Kuwait’s health system is said to be suffering some challenges, including poor cross-departmental working and long waiting times between appointments. For obesity specifically, stakeholders suggest that Kuwait needs better cooperation between healthcare departments and more usage of multidisciplinary teams. Where there are obesity clinics, treatment is said to be frequently out- dated, with staff unfamiliar with contemporary treatment strategies.
There are no clear treatment guidelines or protocols for patients with obesity in Kuwait, and stakeholders reported that there were no clear treatment pathways. Resultantly, there was a lack of consensus on the BMI required for treatment and use of treatment appeared irregular. For example, it was reported that Kuwaiti citizens expect pharmaceutical intervention regardless of efficacy, with herbal supplements being particularly popular. Similarly, stakeholders claimed there was excess emphasis on surgery in Kuwait, partly driven by desire for profit rather than health.
Stakeholders reported that obesity in children and adolescents was particularly difficult to treat as parents routinely failed to acknowledge the need for professional care. Stakeholders suggest that healthcare professionals are not trained appropriately, and so often do not know the best ways to approach the parents and how best to treat children and adolescents.
Stakeholders called for more government funding for obesity education for the public and healthcare practitioners, and to ensure that appropriate treatments are available.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 6 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020
