Malawi
Low income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Contextual factors
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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 *3/11This 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).
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Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Women, 2024
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20-49 |
| Sample size: | 7,216 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Statistical Office - NSO/Malawi, Utica International, and ICF. 2026. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2024: Final Report. Zomba, Malawi, Columbia, Maryland, USA, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: ICF, Utica International, and NSO. Available at https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR398/FR398.pdf. [Accessed 04.02.26] |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-69 |
| Sample size: | 4206 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Malawi National STEPwise Survey for Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factors 2017 Report. https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/629/download/5770 (Accessed 12.10.21) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Sample size: | 28891 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Price AJ, Crampin AC, Amberbir A et al. Prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, and cascade of care in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional, population-based study in rural and urban Malawi.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018 Jan 19. pii: S2213-8587(17)30432-1. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30432-1. [Epub ahead of print] |
| Notes: | Karonga District and Lilongwe city. NB. Combined adult data estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female 2019 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 08.10.20)' |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2015-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-14 |
| Sample size: | 783 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Statistical Office (NSO), Community Health Sciences Unit (CHSU) [Malawi], Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Emory University, 2017. Malawi Micronutrient Survey 2015-16. Atlanta, GA, USA: NSO, CHSU, CDC and Emory University. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR319/FR319.m.final.pdf [Accessed 04.02.26] |
| Notes: | Small sample size <1000 |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2015-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 7180 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Statistical Office - NSO/Malawi and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba, Malawi: NSO and ICF. |
| Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6684 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Statistical Office (NSO) and ICF Macro. 2011. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2010. Zomba, Malawi, and Calverton, Maryland, USA: NSO and ICF Macro. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 4845 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | NCD STEPS 2009. Msyamboza KP, Kathyola D, Dzowela T. Anthropometric measurements and prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in adult Malawians: nationwide population based NCD STEPS survey. Pan African Medical Journal. 2013; 15:108. doi:10.11604/pamj.2013.15.108.2622 http://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/15/108/full/ accessed 26th Nov 2013 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 9280 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Statistical Office - NSO/Malawi and ORC Macro. 2005. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2004. Calverton, Maryland: NSO/Malawi and ORC Macro. |
| Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2000
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 6489 |
| References: | SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 1992
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 2323 |
| References: | Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 |
| Notes: | The data from this paper was sourced from the Demographic Health Survey Programme https://dhsprogram.com/ Central Statistical Office and Macro International. Calverton, Maryland, USA |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Girls, 2024
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-19 |
| Sample size: | 1,827 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Statistical Office - NSO/Malawi, Utica International, and ICF. 2026. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2024: Final Report. Zomba, Malawi, Columbia, Maryland, USA, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: ICF, Utica International, and NSO. Available at https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR398/FR398.pdf. [Accessed 04.02.26] |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Girls, 2015-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-19 |
| Sample size: | 1294 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Benedict, Rukundo K., Allison Schmale, and Sorrel Namaste. 2018. Adolescent Nutrition 2000-2017: DHS Data on Adolescents Age 15-19. DHS Comparative Report No. 47. Rockville, Maryland, USA: ICF. National Statistical Office - NSO/Malawi and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba, Malawi: NSO and ICF. |
| Definitions: | BMI for age: between +1 SD and +2 SD is overweight and greater than +2 SD is obesity |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Children, 2009
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 2359 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/Malawi_2009_FS.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 24.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
0-5 years, 2020
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2142 |
| References: | SMART: Report of the Round 7 Nutrition SMART Surveys Conducted in the Flood- and Drought- Prone Livelihood Zones of Malawi |
| 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, 2019-2020
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2273291 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Malawi Fifth Integrated Household Survey 2019-2020 |
| 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/. |
| 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, 2019-2020
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 14990 |
| References: | MICS: Malawi Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019-20, Survey Findings Report. Zomba, Malawi: National Statistical Office |
| 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, 2019
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3592 |
| References: | SMART: Report of the Seven Nutrition Surveys Conducted in Flood Affected Livelihood Zones of Malawi - Assessment Period June - July 2019 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2018
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3205 |
| References: | SMART: Report of the Seven Nutrition Surveys Conducted in Flood Affected Livelihood Zones of Malawi - Assessment Period January - February 2018 |
| 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, 2017
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3494 |
| References: | SMART: Report of the Seven Nutrition Surveys Conducted in Flood Affected Livelihood Zones of Malawi - Assessment Period May 2017 |
| 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: | 3620 |
| References: | SMART: Report of the Seven Nutrition Surveys Conducted in Flood Affected Livelihood Zones of Malawi - Assessment Period November - December 2016 |
| 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, 2015-2016
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1193131264 |
| References: | Other: Malawi Micronutrient Survey 2015-16. Atlanta, GA, USA: NSO, CHSU, CDC and Emory University |
| 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, 2013-2014
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 18204 |
| References: | MICS: Malawi MDG endline survey 2014. Final Report. Zomba, Malawi: National Statistical Office, 2014. |
| 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: | 4939 |
| References: | DHS: Malawi demographic and health survey 2010. Demographic and Health Surveys. Zomba, Malawi, and Calverton, Maryland, USA: NSO and ICF Macro. 2011 |
| 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 |
| References: | Other: The national micronutrient survey 2009. Lilongwe, Malawi: Ministry of Health, UNICEF, Irish Aid and CDC, 2011. |
| 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: | 21420 |
| References: | MICS: Malawi multiple indicator cluster survey 2006, Final report. Lilongwe, Malawi: National Statistical Office and UNICEF, 2008. |
| 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, 2004-2005
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 8811 |
| References: | DHS: Malawi demographic and health survey 2004. Demographic and Health Surveys. Calverton, Maryland: NSO and ORC Macro, 2005 |
| 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: | 1628907 |
| References: | CWIQ: Malawi 2002 Core Welfare Indicators Questionnaire Survey |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2000
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 10276 |
| References: | DHS: Malawi demographic and health survey 2000. Demographic and Health Surveys. Zomba, Malawi and Calverton, Maryland, USA: National Statistical Office and ORC Macro, 2001 |
| 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, 1997-1998
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 803937 |
| References: | LSMS: A relative profile of poverty in Malawi, 1998: A quintile-based poverty analysis of the Malawi integrated household survey, 1997-98. Poverty Monitoring System. |
| 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, 1992
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3290 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | DHS: Malawi demographic and health survey 1992. Demographic and Health Surveys. National Statistics Office. Zomba, Malawi, 1993 |
| 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 |
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD |
% Adults living with obesity in Malawi 1992-2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1992: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 2000: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2004: National Statistical Office - NSO/Malawi and ORC Macro. 2005. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2004. Calverton, Maryland: NSO/Malawi and ORC Macro. 2010: National Statistical Office (NSO) and ICF Macro. 2011. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2010. Zomba, Malawi, and Calverton, Maryland, USA: NSO and ICF Macro. 2015: National Statistical Office - NSO/Malawi and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba, Malawi: NSO and ICF. |
| Notes: | Adults aged 15-49 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity in Malawi 1992-2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1992: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 2000: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2004: National Statistical Office - NSO/Malawi and ORC Macro. 2005. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2004. Calverton, Maryland: NSO/Malawi and ORC Macro. 2010: National Statistical Office (NSO) and ICF Macro. 2011. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2010. Zomba, Malawi, and Calverton, Maryland, USA: NSO and ICF Macro. 2015: National Statistical Office - NSO/Malawi and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba, Malawi: NSO and ICF. |
| Notes: | Adults aged 15-49 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
