• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Population breakdowns
  • Drivers
  • Comorbidities
  • Economic impact
  • Policies
  • Contextual factors
Loading data – please wait …

Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2017

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:15+
Sample size:22000
Area covered:National
References:Swiss Health Survey 2017. https://www.portal-stat.admin.ch/sgb2017/files/de/02b.xml (accessed 09.08.23)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2014-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:18-75
Sample size:2085
Area covered:National
References:Federal Office of Public Health and the Food Safety and Veterinary Office(2017) Characteristics and indicators of eating and physical activity behaviors in the Swiss adult population Results from menuCH 2014-2015 Available at https://menuch.iumsp.ch/index.php/catalog/4
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:35-74
Sample size:930
Area covered:Regional
References:Bus Santé Study
Notes:Small sample size Sub national: Canton of Geneva
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2000-2001

Survey type:Measured
Age:35-74
Sample size:2482
References:WHO Infobase. Hopitaux Universitaires de Genève
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1993

Survey type:Measured
Age:35-74
Sample size:Unspecified
Area covered:Geneva
References:Galobardes B, Costanza C, Bernstein MS, Delhumeau CH, Morabia A. Trends in Risk Factors for the Major "Lifestyle-related Diseases" in Geneva, Switzerland, 1993-2000. Ann Epidemiology 2003;13:537-540
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
Age:6-12
Sample size:2279
Area covered:National
References:Herter-Aeberli I, Osuna E, Sarnovská Z, Zimmermann MB. Significant Decrease in Childhood Obesity and Waist Circumference over 15 Years in Switzerland: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 2019 Aug 15;11(8). https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/8/1922
Notes:Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reference values
Cutoffs:CDC

Children, 2012

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-12
Sample size:2963
Area covered:National
References:Murer SB, Saarsalu S, Zimmermann MB, Aeberli I. Pediatric adiposity stabilised in Switzerland between 1999 and 2012. Eur J Nutr. 2014 Apr, 53 (3): 865-75.
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 2007

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-13
Sample size:2500
Area covered:National
References:Aeberli I, Amman R.S. Knabenhans M, Molinari L, Zimmermann M.B. Decrease in the prevalence of paediatric adiposity in Switzerland from 2002 to 2007. Public Health Nutr. 2010 Jun;13(6):806-11
Notes:Sample size is approximate The BMI references from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were used to determine the prevalences of underweight (<5th percentile), overweight (>or=85th and <95th percentile) and obesity (>or=95th percentile).
Cutoffs:CDC

Children, 2002

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-12
Sample size:2431
Area covered:National
References:Zimmermann MB, Gubeli C, Puntener C, Monlinari L. Overweight and obesity in 6-12year old children in Switzerland. Swiss Medical Weekly 2004;134:523-528
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
Cutoffs:IOTF

Overweight/obesity by education

Men, 2017

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:15+
Sample size:22000
Area covered:National
References:Swiss National Heatlh survey 2017 https://www.portal-stat.admin.ch/sgb2017/files/de/02b.xml (last accessed 09.08.23)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Women, 2017

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:15+
Sample size:22000
Area covered:National
References:Swiss National Heatlh survey 2017 https://www.portal-stat.admin.ch/sgb2017/files/de/02b.xml (last accessed 09.08.23)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2014-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:18-75
Sample size:2085
Area covered:National
References:Federal Office of Public Health and the Food Safety and Veterinary Office(2017) Characteristics and indicators of eating and physical activity behaviors in the Swiss adult population Results from menuCH 2014-2015 Available at https://menuch.iumsp.ch/index.php/catalog/4
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Men, 2007

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:18+
Sample size:17,879
Area covered:National
References:Marques-Vidal P, Bovet P, Paccaud F, Chiolero A. Changes of overweight and obesity in the adult Swiss population according to educational level, from 1992 to 2007. BMC Public Health. 2010;10:87. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-87.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Women, 2007

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:18+
Sample size:17,879
Area covered:National
References:Marques-Vidal P, Bovet P, Paccaud F, Chiolero A. Changes of overweight and obesity in the adult Swiss population according to educational level, from 1992 to 2007. BMC Public Health. 2010;10:87. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-87.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2005-2006

Survey type:Measured
Age:10-14
Sample size:5207
Area covered:Canton of Vaud
References:Lasserre, A. M., Chiolero, A., Cachat, F., Paccaud, F. and Bovet, P. (2007), Overweight in Swiss Children and Associations With Children's and Parents’ Characteristics. Obesity, 15: 2912–2919. doi: 10.1038/oby.2007.347
Notes:Prevalence of overweight (including obesity) by Parents Education. Overweight and obesity were based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria.
Cutoffs:IOTF

Overweight/obesity by age

Adults, 2017

Survey type:Self-reported
Sample size:22000
Area covered:National
References:Swizz National Health Survey https://www.portal-stat.admin.ch/sgb2017/files/de/02b.xml (last accessed 09.08.23)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2014-2015

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:2085
Area covered:National
References:Federal Office of Public Health and the Food Safety and Veterinary Office(2017) Characteristics and indicators of eating and physical activity behaviors in the Swiss adult population Results from menuCH 2014-2015 Available at https://menuch.iumsp.ch/index.php/catalog/4
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2012

Survey type:Self-reported
Sample size:21602
Area covered:National
References:Information kindly supplied by Prof Ulrich Keller, FMH Endokrinologie-Diabetologie. Reference: Schweizerische Gesundheitsbefragung 2012 (data available in English in Schneider H, Venetz W (2014). Cost of Obesity in Switzerland in 2012, Final Report
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1992-1993

Survey type:Self-reported
Sample size:15288
Area covered:National
References:Information kindly supplied by Prof Ulrich Keller, FMH Endokrinologie-Diabetologie. Reference: Schweizerische Gesundheitsbefragung 2012 (data available in English in Schneider H, Venetz W (2014). Cost of Obesity in Switzerland in 2012, Final Report
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Overweight/obesity by region

Adults, 2014-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:18-75
Sample size:2085
Area covered:National
References:Federal Office of Public Health and the Food Safety and Veterinary Office(2017) Characteristics and indicators of eating and physical activity behaviors in the Swiss adult population Results from menuCH 2014-2015 Available at https://menuch.iumsp.ch/index.php/catalog/4
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2005-2006

Survey type:Measured
Age:10-14
Sample size:5207
Area covered:Canton of Vaud
References:Lasserre, A. M., Chiolero, A., Cachat, F., Paccaud, F. and Bovet, P. (2007), Overweight in Swiss Children and Associations With Children's and Parents’ Characteristics. Obesity, 15: 2912–2919. doi: 10.1038/oby.2007.347
Notes:Overweight and obesity were based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria.
Cutoffs:IOTF

Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group

Children, 2011-2012

Survey type:Measured
Age:5-14
Sample size:8544
Area covered:Canton of Geneva
References:Jeannot E, Mahler P, Elia N, Cerruti B, Chastonnay P. Sociodemographic and Economic Determinants of Overweight and Obesity for Public-school Children in Geneva State, Switzerland: A Cross-sectional Study. International Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2015;6:39. doi:10.4103/2008-7802.156836.
Notes:Prevalence of overweight and obesity by socio-professional categories of the child's Father. To identify overweight and obesity, the definition issued by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) was used.
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 2011-2012

Survey type:Measured
Age:5-14
Sample size:8544
Area covered:Canton of Geneva
References:Jeannot E, Mahler P, Elia N, Cerruti B, Chastonnay P. Sociodemographic and Economic Determinants of Overweight and Obesity for Public-school Children in Geneva State, Switzerland: A Cross-sectional Study. International Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2015;6:39. doi:10.4103/2008-7802.156836.
Notes:Prevalence of overweight and obesity by district of residence. To identify overweight and obesity, the definition issued by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) was used.
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)

Prevalence of at least daily carbonated soft drink consumption

Children, 2010-2014

Survey type:Measured
References:World Health Organization. (2017). Adolescent obesity and related behaviours: Trends and inequalities in the who european region, 2002-2014: observations from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) WHO collaborative cross-national study (J. Inchley, D. Currie, J. Jewel, J. Breda, & V. Barnekow, Eds.). World Health Organization. Sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org
Notes:15-year-old adolescents
Definitions:Prevalence of at least daily carbonated soft drink consumption (% of at least daily carbonated soft drink consumption)

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, 2010-2014

Survey type:Measured
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, 2010-2014

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)

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

Oesophageal cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Breast cancer

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Colorectal cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Pancreatic cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Gallbladder cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Kidney cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Cancer of the uterus

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2339
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

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 (%).

Economic impact of overweight and obesity

Country comparisons

You can choose to compare this country’s data with the data for up to four other countries.

Policies, Interventions and Actions

Health 2030

A follow on from the 2020 strategy. Federal Council intends to further improve the system, so that everyone in Switzerland can continue to benefit from high-quality, affordable healthcare. Health2030 sets a framework for action in health policy, providing guidance for all health system actors.

Categories (partial):Evidence of NCD strategy
Year(s):2020-2030
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Federal Office of Public Health
Find out more:www.bag.admin.ch

Swiss Nutrition Policy

The vision of the Swiss Nutrition Policy 2017-2024 is that all people can decide in favour of a balanced and varied diet. They should have a framework that enables them to maintain a healthy lifestyle on their own – regardless of their background, socio-economic status or age

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2017-2024
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office
Find out more:www.blv.admin.ch
Linked document:Download linked document

Physical activity strategy for the WHO European Region 2016-2025

The strategy focuses on physical activity as a leading factor in health and well-being in the European Region, with particular attention to the burden of non-communicable diseases associated with insufficient activity levels and sedentary behaviour. It aims to cover all forms of physical activity throughout the life-course.

Categories:Evidence of Physical Activity Guidelines/Policy
Year(s):2016-2025
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:WHO Europe
Find out more:www.euro.who.int
Linked document:Download linked document

"Gesundheit 2020" (Health 2020)

A strategy containing 36 measures across all areas of the health system which aim to maintain quality of life, increase equal opportunities, raise the quality of care and improve transparency.

Categories (partial):Evidence of NCD strategy
Year(s):2013-2020
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Federal Office of Public Health
Find out more:www.bag.admin.ch
Linked document:Download linked document

Food-based dietary guidelines - Switzerland

The current version of the Swiss food pyramid was developed by the Swiss Society for Nutrition in collaboration with the Federal Office of Public Health and experts from science and industry as well as on the basis of a public consultation. It provides an important basis for the Swiss Nutrition Policy and the National Programme on Diet and Physical Activity. The Swiss food pyramid was then endorsed by the Federal Office of Public Health. Since January 2014 the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office is the competence centre for nutrition and responsible for all questions concerning nutrition.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2011 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office
Linked document:Download linked document
References:https://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/switzerland/en/ (last accessed 26.07.22)

Switzerland Pledge

The aim of the pledge is to encourage responsible advertising practices as part of industry initiatives to contribute to a healthy and balanced diet. Based on a voluntary commitment, the Swiss Pledge initiative is based on similar programs already in place within the EU and remains open to other market participants who undertake to comply with the prescribed minimum criteria.

Categories:Evidence of Marketing Guidelines/Policy
Year(s):2010 (ongoing)
Target age group:Children
Find out more:swiss-pledge.ch

Ordonnance du DFI sur les huiles et graisses comestibles et leurs dérivés

Measures to limit or virtually eliminate industrially-produced trans fatty acids in food intended for the final consumer and/or for supply to retail. Adopted by the Federal Department of Home Affairs from 2008. (Available only in French language)

Categories:Evidence of Marketing Guidelines/Policy
Year(s):2008 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Federal Department of Home Affairs
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Information provided with kind permission of WHO Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA): https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en/node/24668 (last accessed 18.07.22)

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

National Strategy for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD strategy)

The strategy aims to encourage personal responsibility by promoting health literacy to enable people to make their own decisions consciously in the light of the risks and potential consequences for their health. The NCD strategy is also designed to improve public health literacy and create a framework facilitating healthier behaviour.

Categories:Evidence of NCD strategy
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Federal Office of Public Health
Linked document:Download linked document

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)?Present
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? Present
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?Present
Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs?Present
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?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 September 13, 2022

See more policies here

Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions

Feedback

Are you finding the information on these pages useful?
Yes
No
N/A

Thank you for feeding back to World Obesity.

If you have any further feedback or suggestions please email us at obesity@worldobesity.org.

Close
Loading