Maldives
Upper-middle 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 *6.5/11This 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).
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.Breastfeeding
Unaffordable diet
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2020-2021
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-69 |
| Sample size: | 2667 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO STEP Survey on Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases. Maldives 2020-21. https://health.gov.mv/storage/uploads/2ywDEKYN/vltwo5kq.pdf (Accessed 20.06.23) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2016-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 10313 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ministry of Health - MOH/Maldives and ICF. 2018. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2016-17. Malé, Maldives, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: MOH and ICF. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR349/FR349.pdf (Last accessed 03.08.2022) |
| Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-49. 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, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-64 |
| Sample size: | 1780 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Maldives STEPS Survey 2011 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 5173 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ministry of Health and Family - MOHF/Maldives and ICF Macro. 2010. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2009. Calverton, Maryland: MOHF and ICF 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. | |
Children, 2014
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 3493 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2014-Maldives-GSHS-FS.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 24.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
0-5 years, 2016-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2327 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ministry of Health - MOH/Maldives and ICF. 2018. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2016-17. Malé, Maldives, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: MOH and ICF.. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR349/FR349.pdf |
| Notes: | Infants. |
| Definitions: | Weight for height. Overweight = >2SD |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
0-5 years, 2009
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2547 |
| References: | DHS: Maldives demographic and health survey 2009. Demographic and Health Surveys. Calverton, Maryland: MOHF and ICF Macro, 2010 |
| 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: | 747 |
| References: | MICS: Multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS 2) Maldives. Ministry of Health. Male, Republic of Maldives, 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: | 1337 |
| References: | Other: Vulnerability and poverty assessment 1998. Malé, Republic of Maldives, 1999 |
| 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, 1995
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 798 |
| References: | MICS: Maldives multiple indicator survey report (MICS). United Nations Children's Fund. Malé, Maldives, June 1996 |
| 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, 1994
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1987 |
| References: | NNS: Nutritional status and child feeding practices of Maldivian children. Department of Public Health. Male, Maldives, 1994. |
| 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 |
% Adults living with obesity in Maldives 2009-2016
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2009: Ministry of Health and Family - MOHF/Maldives and ICF Macro. 2010. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2009. Calverton, Maryland: MOHF and ICF Macro. 2011: Maldives STEPS Survey 2011 2016: Ministry of Health - MOH/Maldives and ICF. 2018. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2016-17. Malé, Maldives, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: MOH and ICF. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR349/FR349.pdf (Last accessed 03.08.2022) 2020: WHO STEP Survey on Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases. Maldives 2020-21. https://health.gov.mv/storage/uploads/2ywDEKYN/vltwo5kq.pdf (Accessed 20.06.23) |
| 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. | |
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2009: Ministry of Health and Family - MOHF/Maldives and ICF Macro. 2010. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2009. Calverton, Maryland: MOHF and ICF Macro. 2011: Maldives STEPS Survey 2011 2016: Ministry of Health - MOH/Maldives and ICF. 2018. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2016-17. Malé, Maldives, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: MOH and ICF. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR349/FR349.pdf (Last accessed 03.08.2022) 2020: WHO STEP Survey on Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases. Maldives 2020-21. https://health.gov.mv/storage/uploads/2ywDEKYN/vltwo5kq.pdf (Accessed 20.06.23) |
| 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 Maldives 2009-2016
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2009: Ministry of Health and Family - MOHF/Maldives and ICF Macro. 2010. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2009. Calverton, Maryland: MOHF and ICF Macro. 2011: Maldives STEPS Survey 2011 2016: Ministry of Health - MOH/Maldives and ICF. 2018. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2016-17. Malé, Maldives, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: MOH and ICF. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR349/FR349.pdf (Last accessed 03.08.2022) 2020: WHO STEP Survey on Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases. Maldives 2020-21. https://health.gov.mv/storage/uploads/2ywDEKYN/vltwo5kq.pdf (Accessed 20.06.23) |
| 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. | |
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2009: Ministry of Health and Family - MOHF/Maldives and ICF Macro. 2010. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2009. Calverton, Maryland: MOHF and ICF Macro. 2011: Maldives STEPS Survey 2011 2016: Ministry of Health - MOH/Maldives and ICF. 2018. Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2016-17. Malé, Maldives, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: MOH and ICF. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR349/FR349.pdf (Last accessed 03.08.2022) 2020: WHO STEP Survey on Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases. Maldives 2020-21. https://health.gov.mv/storage/uploads/2ywDEKYN/vltwo5kq.pdf (Accessed 20.06.23) |
| 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. | |
