Switzerland
High income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *5.5/10This 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).
Report cards
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Population breakdowns
Drivers
Insufficient activity
Soft drink consumption
Fruit consumption
Vegetable 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.Unaffordable diet
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 16+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Eurostat 2022 Data. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch10/default/table?lang=en (last accessed 19.03.25) |
| Notes: | EUROSTAT 2022 data derived from EU statistics on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) survey which includes adults aged 16+ years. This differs from most EUROSTAT data which is derived from the Health Interview Surveys, which includes adults aged 15+ years (though sometimes only data from adults aged 18+ reported) |
| 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: | 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, 2021-2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13 |
| References: | Rakic JG, Hamrik Z, Dzielska A, Felder-Puig R, Oja L, Bakalár P et al. A focus on adolescent physical activity, eating behaviours, weight status and body image in Europe, central Asia and Canada. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) international report from the 2021/2022 survey. Volume 4. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2024. 'Any translation was not created by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO is not responsible for the content or accuracy of this translation. The original English edition shall be the binding and authentic edition' |
| Notes: | HBSC aims to survey approximately 1500 pupils per age group in each country or region (totaling around 4500) |
| Cutoffs: | +2SD |
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 |
