• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Population breakdowns
  • Drivers
  • Comorbidities
  • Policies
  • Contextual factors
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Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2017-2018

Survey type:Measured
Age:18+
Sample size:2869
Area covered:Regional
References:Republic of Marshall Islands' 2017-2018 Hybrid STEPS Survey. https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/742 (Accessed 06.10.20)
Notes:Although all islands were not surveyed, the islands included make up 83% of the overall population of the Republic of Marshall Islands. Despite this, sample size was exceptionally large and included approximately 10% of all adults residing in the Republic of Marshall Islands.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Women, 2016-2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:673
Area covered:National
References:Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office and UNICEF. 2017. Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office
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.

Adults, 2002

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-64
Sample size:1187
Area covered:National
References:REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, NCD Risk Factors STEPS Report 2002 (2007) available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2002_Marshall_Islands_STEPS-Report.pdf (last accessed 19.10.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2020

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-16
Sample size:1172
Area covered:National
References:Marshall Islands Rapid Youth Survey 2020. https://www.pihoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/RMI-Rapid-Youth-Survey-2020-Final_05_21_21.pdf (Accessed 10.01.2023)
Definitions:BMI percentiles were used to determine BMI categories for those students under 17 years old

Children, 2017-2018

Survey type:Measured
Age:4-16
Sample size:3271
Area covered:Regional
References:Passmore, E. and Smith, T., 2019. Dual Burden of Stunting and Obesity Among Elementary School Children on Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands. Hawai'i Journal of Health & Social Welfare, 78(8), p.262.
Notes:Region: Majuro
Cutoffs:CDC

0-5 years, 2017

Age:0-5
Sample size:873
References:MICS-Style: Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistic Office, 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

Overweight/obesity by education

Adults, 2017-2018

Survey type:Measured
Age:18+
Sample size:2869
Area covered:Regional
References:Republic of Marshall Islands' 2017-2018 STEPS Hybrid Survey. https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/742 (Accessed 06.10.20)
Notes:Although all islands were not surveyed, the islands included make up 83% of the overall population of the Republic of Marshall Islands. Despite this, sample size was exceptionally large and included approximately 10% of all adults residing in the Republic of Marshall Islands.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Women, 2016-2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:673
Area covered:National
References:Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office and UNICEF. 2017. Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office
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.

0-5 years, 2017

Sample size:873
References:MICS-Style: Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistic Office, 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

Overweight/obesity by age

Adults, 2017-2018

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:2869
Area covered:Regional
References:Republic of Marshall Islands' 2017-2018 Hybrid Survey. https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/742 (Accessed 06.10.20)
Notes:Although all islands were not surveyed, the islands included make up 83% of the overall population of the Republic of Marshall Islands. Despite this, sample size was exceptionally large and included approximately 10% of all adults residing in the Republic of Marshall Islands.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Women, 2016-2017

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:673
Area covered:National
References:Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office and UNICEF. 2017. Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office
Notes:Demographic Health Survey - Mothers or female caregivers
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2002

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:1187
Area covered:National
References:REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, NCD Risk Factors STEPS Report 2002 (2007) available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2002_Marshall_Islands_STEPS-Report.pdf (last accessed 19.10.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2017-2018

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:3271
Area covered:Subnational
References:Passmore, E. and Smith, T., 2019. Dual Burden of Stunting and Obesity Among Elementary School Children on Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands. Hawai'i Journal of Health & Social Welfare, 78(8), p.262.
Notes:CDC Cut-offs
Cutoffs:CDC

Overweight/obesity by region

Women, 2016-2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:673
Area covered:National
References:Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office and UNICEF. 2017. Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office
Notes:Demographic Health Survey - Mothers or female caregivers
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Women, 2016-2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:673
Area covered:National
References:Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office and UNICEF. 2017. Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistics Office
Notes:Demographic Health Survey - Mothers or female caregivers
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

0-5 years, 2017

Sample size:873
References:MICS-Style: Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistic Office, 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

Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group

0-5 years, 2017

Sample size:873
References:MICS-Style: Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistic Office, 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

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

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)

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)

% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months

0-5 years, 2007-2022

References:Republic of the Marshall Islands Integrated Child Health and Nutrition Survey 2017, Final Report. Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands: RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI Economic, Policy Planning and Statistic Office, 2017
Notes:Full details are available. Original citation United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2023). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding, New York, October 2023.

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, 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 (%).

Policies, Interventions and Actions

GNPR 2016-17 (q7) Breastfeeeding promotion and/or counselling

WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017 reported the evidence of breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling (q7)

Categories:Evidence of Breastfeeding promotion or related activity
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:Ministry of Health (information provided by the GINA progam)
Find out more:extranet.who.int
References:Information provided with kind permission of WHO Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA): https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en Please note the GINA website has been replaced by the GIFNA database and the GINA link will no longer work. You will find this document by searching this new database: https://gifna.who.int/

No actions could be found for the above criteria.

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?Absent
Front-of-package labelling?Absent
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration?Absent
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)?Absent
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? Absent
Ban on trans-fats or phos in place (all settings)? Absent
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?Absent
Are there mandatory standards for food in schools?Absent
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?Absent
Comprehensive physical activity strategy?Absent
Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs?Absent
National target(s) on reducing obesity?Absent
Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment?Absent
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)?Absent

Key

Present
Present (voluntary)
Incoming
Absent
Unknown

Last updated September 13, 2022

See more policies here

Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions

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