Lebanon
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Health systems
- Actions
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National obesity risk *8/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *9/11This 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
Trends over time
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
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
Actions
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2016-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-69 |
| Sample size: | 1899 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO STEPWISE APPROACH FOR NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASESRISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE, Lebanon, 2016-2017 https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/Lebanon_STEPS_report_2016-2017.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 16.10.19) |
| Notes: | STEPS |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 1953 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO STEPS Report 2009 Lebanon |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 2707 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Nasreddine L, Naja F, Chamieh MC et al. Trends in overweight and obesity in Lebanon: evidence from two national cross-sectional surveys (1997 and 2009). BMC Public Health 2012;12:798 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1997
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 2104 |
| References: | Sibai AM, Hwalla N, Adra N, Rahal B. Prevalence and Covariates of Obesity in Lebanon: Findings from the First Epidemiolgical Study. Obesity Research 203;11:1353-1361 |
| Notes: | The sample size includes children. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2017
| 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, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-19 |
| Sample size: | 939 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Nasreddine L, Naja F, Chamieh MC et al. Trends in overweight and obesity in Lebanon: evidence from two national cross-sectional surveys (1997 and 2009). BMC Public Health 2012;12:798 |
| Notes: | WHO Child Cut Off. Note: Data for 2-5 year-olds available. Nasreddine et al 2017. Prevalence and Correlates of Preschool Overweight and Obesity Amidst the Nutrition Transition: Findings from a National Cross-Sectional Study in Lebanon. Nutrients. 9(3),. pp. 266. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 1996
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 1101 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Hwalla N and Adra N. (1998). Dept of Food Technoology & Nutrition, American University of Beirut, Lebanon. Personal communication data reanalysed (Lebanon). |
| Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
% Adults living with obesity in Lebanon 1997-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1997: Sibai AM, Hwalla N, Adra N, Rahal B. Prevalence and Covariates of Obesity in Lebanon: Findings from the First Epidemiolgical Study. Obesity Research 203;11:1353-1361 2009: WHO STEPS Report 2009 Lebanon 2016: WHO STEPWISE APPROACH FOR NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASESRISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE, Lebanon, 2016-2017 https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/Lebanon_STEPS_report_2016-2017.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 16.10.19) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity in Lebanon 1997-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1997, 1997: Sibai AM, Hwalla N, Adra N, Rahal B. Prevalence and Covariates of Obesity in Lebanon: Findings from the First Epidemiolgical Study. Obesity Research 203;11:1353-1361 2009: WHO STEPS Report 2009 Lebanon 2016, 2016: WHO STEPWISE APPROACH FOR NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASESRISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE, Lebanon, 2016-2017 https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/Lebanon_STEPS_report_2016-2017.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 16.10.19) 2009: Nasreddine L, Naja F, Chamieh MC et al. Trends in overweight and obesity in Lebanon: evidence from two national cross-sectional surveys (1997 and 2009). BMC Public Health 2012;12:798 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 2697 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Nasreddine L, Naja F, Chamieh MC et al. Trends in overweight and obesity in Lebanon: evidence from two national cross-sectional surveys (1997 and 2009). BMC Public Health 2012;12:798 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
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: Upper Middle Income
Health systems summary
Lebanon has a mixed health-care system. There is the government-funded National Social Security Fund, government schemes that cover civil servants and the military, and private insurance. Together, these schemes cover close to 50% of the population. In addition to the above, the many Palestinian refugees are covered by the United National Relief and Work Agency. Despite all of this, it is estimated that around half of the population in Lebanon lack healthcare coverage, and for those that do have coverage, co-payments are common. As a result, out of pocket payments in Lebanon are considered to be at ‘catastrophic levels’ (55% of health expenditure).
The public sector is considered to be of much lower quality than the private sector, suffering from low funding and difficulties with recruiting and retaining staff.
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 |
| In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? | Out of pocket |
| 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? | Partial |
| Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in rural areas? | Partial |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? | No |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? | No |
Summary of stakeholder feedback
Stakeholders felt that neither the government or the healthcare providers in Lebanon considered obesity as a disease. This was felt to be evidenced by the lack of initiatives and action on the obesity front for both the prevention and treatment of obesity. It was felt that obesity could be better prevented if there were more awareness campaigns, government commitment and training for health professionals.
Stakeholders reported that that there are a lack of clear obesity care pathways in Lebanon. This may be due to the absence of guidelines as well as the fact that primary care physicians do not have a gatekeeper role (people can go straight to specialists). No clear referral pathways mean that treatment is often left to endocrinologists and surgeons, with general practitioners playing a small (to no) role in obesity management and treatment.
It appears that most obesity treatment options are not covered by government funding/insurance - except for surgery when certain criteria are met. As a result, much obesity treatment in Lebanon is paid for out of pocket. The lack of guidelines in Lebanon mean that there is variation in when treatment can be received, but it appears that it is generally when BMI is above 30kg/m2.
There is no obesity training available in Lebanon. Endocrinologists are widely considered to be the most qualified to manage and treat obesity, but they do not receive specific obesity training in their specialisation training.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 4 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020
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