Seychelles
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Policies
- 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 *7/11This 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
Download report card
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.Download report card
Comorbidities
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2013-2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 1240 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Survey of Noncommunicable Diseases in Seychelles 2013-2014 (Seychelles Heart Study IV) available at https://serval.unil.ch/resource/serval:BIB_1233D41F200A.P001/REF.pdf (available at 20.10.20) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 1255 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Bovet P, Chiolero A, Shamlaye C and Paccaud F. (2008). Prevalence of overweight in the Seychelles:15 year trends and association with socio-economic status. Obesity Reviews, 9: 511 - 517 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1994
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 1059 |
| References: | Conen D, Wietlisbach V, Bovet P, Shamlaye C, Riesen W, Paccaud F, Burnier Michel. Prevalence of hyperuricemia and relation of serum uric acid with cardiovascular risk factors in a developing country. BMC Public Health 2004;4:9 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1989
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 1081 |
| References: | P. Bovet, A. Chiolero, C. Shamlaye and F. Paccaud. Secular trends in overweight in Seychelles. Obesity Reviews 2008;9:511-517 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-16 |
| Sample size: | 3738 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Aly R, Viswanathan B, Mangroo G, Gedeon J, Bovet P. Trends in obesity, overweight, and thinness in children in the seychelles between 1998 and 2016.Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Feb 5. doi: 10.1002/oby.22112. [Epub ahead of print] |
| Notes: | Data available between 1998-2016 IOTF International Cut off applied |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 2540 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey Fact Sheet, https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/gshs_fs_seychelles_2015.pdf (last accessed 24.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2007
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 1432 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/Seychelles_2007_GSHS_Fact_Sheet.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 24.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2004-2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 9-15 |
| Sample size: | 8462 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Bovet P, Chiolero A, Madeleine G, Paccaud F. Prevalence of overweight and underweight in public and private schools in the Seychelles. IJPO 2010;5:274-278 |
| 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. The survey looks specifically at schools and therefore the total sample may not be truly representative, though currently the best available. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 1999
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 17 |
| Sample size: | 5514 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Steller N, Bover P, Shamlaye H, Zemel BS, Stallings VA, Paccaud F. Prevalence and risk factors for overweight and obesity in children from Seychelles, a country in rapid transition: the importance of early growth. International Journal of Obesity. 2002;26:214-219 |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
% Adults living with obesity, 1989-2014
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1989: P. Bovet, A. Chiolero, C. Shamlaye and F. Paccaud. Secular trends in overweight in Seychelles. Obesity Reviews 2008;9:511-517 1994: Conen D, Wietlisbach V, Bovet P, Shamlaye C, Riesen W, Paccaud F, Burnier Michel. Prevalence of hyperuricemia and relation of serum uric acid with cardiovascular risk factors in a developing country. BMC Public Health 2004;4:9 2004: Bovet P, Chiolero A, Shamlaye C and Paccaud F. (2008). Prevalence of overweight in the Seychelles:15 year trends and association with socio-economic status. Obesity Reviews, 9: 511 - 517 2013: National Survey of Noncommunicable Diseases in Seychelles 2013-2014 (Seychelles Heart Study IV) available at https://serval.unil.ch/resource/serval:BIB_1233D41F200A.P001/REF.pdf (available at 20.10.20) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| 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: | 1989: P. Bovet, A. Chiolero, C. Shamlaye and F. Paccaud. Secular trends in overweight in Seychelles. Obesity Reviews 2008;9:511-517 1994: Conen D, Wietlisbach V, Bovet P, Shamlaye C, Riesen W, Paccaud F, Burnier Michel. Prevalence of hyperuricemia and relation of serum uric acid with cardiovascular risk factors in a developing country. BMC Public Health 2004;4:9 2004: Bovet P, Chiolero A, Shamlaye C and Paccaud F. (2008). Prevalence of overweight in the Seychelles:15 year trends and association with socio-economic status. Obesity Reviews, 9: 511 - 517 2013: National Survey of Noncommunicable Diseases in Seychelles 2013-2014 (Seychelles Heart Study IV) available at https://serval.unil.ch/resource/serval:BIB_1233D41F200A.P001/REF.pdf (available at 20.10.20) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| 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, 1989-2014
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1989: P. Bovet, A. Chiolero, C. Shamlaye and F. Paccaud. Secular trends in overweight in Seychelles. Obesity Reviews 2008;9:511-517 1994: Conen D, Wietlisbach V, Bovet P, Shamlaye C, Riesen W, Paccaud F, Burnier Michel. Prevalence of hyperuricemia and relation of serum uric acid with cardiovascular risk factors in a developing country. BMC Public Health 2004;4:9 2004: Bovet P, Chiolero A, Shamlaye C and Paccaud F. (2008). Prevalence of overweight in the Seychelles:15 year trends and association with socio-economic status. Obesity Reviews, 9: 511 - 517 2013: National Survey of Noncommunicable Diseases in Seychelles 2013-2014 (Seychelles Heart Study IV) available at https://serval.unil.ch/resource/serval:BIB_1233D41F200A.P001/REF.pdf (available at 20.10.20) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| 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: | 1989: P. Bovet, A. Chiolero, C. Shamlaye and F. Paccaud. Secular trends in overweight in Seychelles. Obesity Reviews 2008;9:511-517 1994: Conen D, Wietlisbach V, Bovet P, Shamlaye C, Riesen W, Paccaud F, Burnier Michel. Prevalence of hyperuricemia and relation of serum uric acid with cardiovascular risk factors in a developing country. BMC Public Health 2004;4:9 2004: Bovet P, Chiolero A, Shamlaye C and Paccaud F. (2008). Prevalence of overweight in the Seychelles:15 year trends and association with socio-economic status. Obesity Reviews, 9: 511 - 517 2013: National Survey of Noncommunicable Diseases in Seychelles 2013-2014 (Seychelles Heart Study IV) available at https://serval.unil.ch/resource/serval:BIB_1233D41F200A.P001/REF.pdf (available at 20.10.20) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| 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
Children, 1999
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 5514 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Steller N, Bover P, Shamlaye H, Zemel BS, Stallings VA, Paccaud F. Prevalence and risk factors for overweight and obesity in children from Seychelles, a country in rapid transition: the importance of early growth. International Journal of Obesity. 2002;26:214-219 |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
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, 2016
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 11-17 |
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
| 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, 2016
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 11-17 |
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
| 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, 2016
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 11-17 |
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
| 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) |
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, 2009-2015
| 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, 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 |
| 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 |
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
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? | Present |
| Front-of-package labelling? | Absent |
| Back-of-pack nutrition declaration? | Present |
| Color coding? | Absent |
| Warning label? | Absent |
Regulation and marketing
| Are there fiscal policies on unhealthy products? | Present |
| Tax on unhealthy foods? | Absent |
| Tax on unhealthy drinks? | Present |
| 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)? | Incoming |
| Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? | Incoming |
| 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? | Present |
| National obesity strategy? | Absent |
| National childhood obesity strategy? | Absent |
| Comprehensive nutrition strategy? | Present |
| Comprehensive physical activity strategy? | Unknown |
| Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs? | Present |
| National target(s) on reducing obesity? | Present |
| Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment? | Present |
| 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? | Absent |
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 October 19, 2022
Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions
