Mongolia
Upper-middle income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *6.5/10This 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 *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, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-69 |
| Sample size: | 6654 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Fourth national STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Noncommunicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors 2019. Brief Summary. Available at https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/mongolia/mongolia-steps-survey---2019_brief-summary_english.pdf?sfvrsn=5ba7a1d3_1&download=true (last accessed 16.09.21) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 3314 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Centre for Public Health (2017). Nutrition status of the population of Mongolia. Fifth National Nutrition Survey. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Available at https://www.unicef.org/mongolia/reports/fifth-national-nutrition-survey-report (accessed 20.04.2020) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-64 |
| Sample size: | 5119 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Chimeddamba O, Gearon E, Stevenson C et al. Trends in Adult Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Mongolica 2005-2013. Obesity 2016;24(10):2194-2201 |
| 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: | 15-64 |
| Sample size: | 5314 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Mongolian STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Non-communicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors - 2009 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-64 |
| Sample size: | 3411 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Mongolian STEPS Survey on the prevalence of noncommunicable disease risk factors 2006 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 3311 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-Based Student Health Survey, Mongolia 2023: Youth's Health Behavior Among Secondary School Children, GSHS-2023. Ulaanbaatar; 2024. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/2021-gshs-country-report-mongolia (Accessed: 13.06.25) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2013
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 5393 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2013_Mongolia_GSHS_Fact_Sheet.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20) |
| Notes: | WHO cutoffs. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2009
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 5238 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey Factsheet, available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/Mongolia_2010_FS.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
0-5 years, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 5117 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | UNICEF (2023) MONGOLIA Social Indicator Sample Survey-2023 KEY INDICATORS REPORT. Available at (https://mics.unicef.org/sites/mics/files/2024-07/Mongolia%202023%20SISS-MICS%20Key%20Indicators%20Report_English.pdf last accessed 11.06.25) |
| Cutoffs: | >2SD <3 SD, =>3SD |
0-5 years, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 5117 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Mongolia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2023 |
| 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, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 5882 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | NSO. 2019. Social Indicator Sample Survey-2018, Survey Findings Report. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: National Statistical Office of Mongolia. https://washdata.org/sites/default/files/documents/reports/2019-10/Mongolia-2018-MICS-report.pdf (Accessed 24.06.21) |
| Notes: | Infants |
| Definitions: | Weight for height. Overweight = Between +2SD and +3SD. Obesity = >+3SD |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
0-5 years, 2018
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 5882 |
| References: | MICS: Social Indicator Sample Survey-2018, Survey Findings Report. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: National Statistical Office of Mongolia |
| 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: | 2227 |
| References: | NNS: Nutrition Status of the Population of Mongolia: Fifth National Nutrition Survey Report |
| 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
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 5715 |
| References: | MICS: Social indicator sample survey 2013 (MICS). Final Report.Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: 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: | 3672 |
| References: | MICS: 2010 Child Development Survey MICS-4 Final Report |
| 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, 2005
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3278 |
| References: | MICS: Mongolia Child and Development 2005 survey (MICS-3), final report. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 2007 |
| 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
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1246 |
| References: | NNS: Nutritional status of Mongolian children and women: 3rd National nutrition survey report. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 2006. |
| 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: | 5827 |
| References: | MICS: Mongolia child and development survey - 2000 (MICS-2): National report 2001. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: National Statistics Office, 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, 1999
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 4088 |
| References: | NNS: Report on the 2nd national child and nutrition survey, Mongolia 1999. Institute of Nutrition and Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, 2000 |
| 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 Mongolia 2005-2019
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2005: Mongolian STEPS Survey on the prevalence of noncommunicable disease risk factors 2006 2009: Mongolian STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Non-communicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors - 2009 2013: Chimeddamba O, Gearon E, Stevenson C et al. Trends in Adult Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Mongolica 2005-2013. Obesity 2016;24(10):2194-2201 2019: Fourth national STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Noncommunicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors 2019. Brief Summary. Available at https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/mongolia/mongolia-steps-survey---2019_brief-summary_english.pdf?sfvrsn=5ba7a1d3_1&download=true (last accessed 16.09.21) |
| 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. | |
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2005: Mongolian STEPS Survey on the prevalence of noncommunicable disease risk factors 2006 2009: Mongolian STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Non-communicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors - 2009 2013: Chimeddamba O, Gearon E, Stevenson C et al. Trends in Adult Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Mongolica 2005-2013. Obesity 2016;24(10):2194-2201 2019: Fourth national STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Noncommunicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors 2019. Brief Summary. Available at https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/mongolia/mongolia-steps-survey---2019_brief-summary_english.pdf?sfvrsn=5ba7a1d3_1&download=true (last accessed 16.09.21) |
| 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 Mongolia 2005-2019
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2005: Mongolian STEPS Survey on the prevalence of noncommunicable disease risk factors 2006 2009: Mongolian STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Non-communicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors - 2009 2013: Chimeddamba O, Gearon E, Stevenson C et al. Trends in Adult Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Mongolica 2005-2013. Obesity 2016;24(10):2194-2201 2019: Fourth national STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Noncommunicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors 2019. Brief Summary. Available at https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/mongolia/mongolia-steps-survey---2019_brief-summary_english.pdf?sfvrsn=5ba7a1d3_1&download=true (last accessed 16.09.21) |
| 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. | |
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2005: Mongolian STEPS Survey on the prevalence of noncommunicable disease risk factors 2006 2009: Mongolian STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Non-communicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors - 2009 2013: Chimeddamba O, Gearon E, Stevenson C et al. Trends in Adult Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Mongolica 2005-2013. Obesity 2016;24(10):2194-2201 2019: Fourth national STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Noncommunicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors 2019. Brief Summary. Available at https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/mongolia/mongolia-steps-survey---2019_brief-summary_english.pdf?sfvrsn=5ba7a1d3_1&download=true (last accessed 16.09.21) |
| 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. | |
