Tonga

Overview
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors

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National obesity risk *7.5/10 Childhood obesity risk *10/11

* Based on estimated data. For more information see Publications

Report cards

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Report card (adult data)

Report card (child data)

Report card (under-5s data)

Population breakdowns

By age

By region

By socio-economic group

Double Burden

Drivers

Insufficient activity

Soft drink consumption

Fruit consumption

Vegetable consumption

Fast food consumption

Processed meat consumption

Grains consumption

Depression

Anxiety

Roots of obesity »

Breastfeeding

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Comorbidities

Raised blood pressure

Raised cholesterol

Raised fasting blood glucose

Diabetes prevalence

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Economic impact

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Policies

National Obesity Strategy

Nutritional or Health Strategy

Physical Activity

Tax/Subsidies on Food or Beverages

Transnational Obesity Strategies

NCD Strategy

Health Effectiveness Reviews

Breastfeeding

Obesity Target

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Contextual factors

Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2017

Survey type:	Measured
Age:	18-69
Sample size:	3858
Area covered:	National
References:	Tonga STEPS Survey 2017 https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/713 (Last accessed 13.10.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

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Adults, 2012

Survey type:	Measured
Age:	25-64
Sample size:	2599
Area covered:	National
References:	STEPS Survey Tonga 2012 available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2012_Tonga_STEPSReport.pdf (last accessed 04.05.2020)
Notes:	STEPS
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

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Adults, 2004

Survey type:	Measured
Age:	15-64
Sample size:	958
Area covered:	National
References:	Tonga STEPS Survey 2004
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

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Adults, 1998-2000

Survey type:	Measured
Age:	15-85
Sample size:	1024
Area covered:	National
References:	Colaguir S, Colagiuri R, Na'ati S, Muimuiheata S, Hussain Z and Palau T. (2002). The prevalence of diabetes in the Kingdom of Tonga. Diabetes care, 25: 1378 - 1383.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

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Children, 2017

Survey type:	Self-reported
Age:	13-17
Sample size:	3333
Area covered:	National
References:	Tonga - Global School-Based Student Health Survey 2017 https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/tonga/en/ (Last accessed 20.10.20)
Cutoffs:	WHO

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Children, 2010

Survey type:	Self-reported
Age:	13-15
Sample size:	2111
Area covered:	National
References:	Global School Health Student Survey Factsheet Tonga, available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2010_GSHS_FS_Tonga.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20)
Cutoffs:	WHO

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Children, 2002-2003

Survey type:	Measured
Age:	5-11
Sample size:	895
References:	Shoko Fukuyama a; Tsukasa Inaoka b; Yasuhiro Matsumura c; Taro Yamauchi a; Kazumi Natsuhara d; Ryosuke kimura e; Ryutaro Ohtsuka f. Anthropometry of 5-19-year-old Tongan children with special interest in the high prevalence of obesity among adolescent girls. Annals of Human Biology, Volume 32, Issue 6 November 2005 , pages 714 - 723
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

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0-5 years, 2019

Age:	0-5
Sample size:	1271
References:	MICS: Tonga Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019, Survey Findings Report. Nuku’alofa, Tonga: Tonga Statistics Department
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

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0-5 years, 2019

Survey type:	Measured
Age:	0-5
Sample size:	1271
Area covered:	National
References:	Tonga Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019, Survey Findings Report. Nuku’alofa, Tonga: Tonga Statistics Department
Notes:	Infants.
Definitions:	Weight for height. Overweight = +2SD-+3SD. Obesity = >+3SD
Cutoffs:	Other

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0-5 years, 2012

Age:	0-5
References:	DHS-Style: Tonga demographic and health survey 2012. Noumea, New Caledonia: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 2013.
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

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% Adults living with obesity in Tonga 1998-2017

Women

Survey type:	Measured
References:	1998: Colaguir S, Colagiuri R, Na'ati S, Muimuiheata S, Hussain Z and Palau T. (2002). The prevalence of diabetes in the Kingdom of Tonga. Diabetes care, 25: 1378 - 1383. 2004: Tonga STEPS Survey 2004 2012: STEPS Survey Tonga 2012 available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2012_Tonga_STEPSReport.pdf (last accessed 04.05.2020) 2017: Tonga STEPS Survey 2017 https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/713 (Last accessed 13.10.20)
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.

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Men

Survey type:	Measured
References:	1998: Colaguir S, Colagiuri R, Na'ati S, Muimuiheata S, Hussain Z and Palau T. (2002). The prevalence of diabetes in the Kingdom of Tonga. Diabetes care, 25: 1378 - 1383. 2004: Tonga STEPS Survey 2004 2012: STEPS Survey Tonga 2012 available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2012_Tonga_STEPSReport.pdf (last accessed 04.05.2020) 2017: Tonga STEPS Survey 2017 https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/713 (Last accessed 13.10.20)
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.

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% Adults living with overweight or obesity in Tonga 1998-2017

Women

Survey type:	Measured
References:	1998: Colaguir S, Colagiuri R, Na'ati S, Muimuiheata S, Hussain Z and Palau T. (2002). The prevalence of diabetes in the Kingdom of Tonga. Diabetes care, 25: 1378 - 1383. 2004: Tonga STEPS Survey 2004 2012: STEPS Survey Tonga 2012 available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2012_Tonga_STEPSReport.pdf (last accessed 04.05.2020) 2017: Tonga STEPS Survey 2017 https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/713 (Last accessed 13.10.20)
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.

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Men

Survey type:	Measured
References:	1998: Colaguir S, Colagiuri R, Na'ati S, Muimuiheata S, Hussain Z and Palau T. (2002). The prevalence of diabetes in the Kingdom of Tonga. Diabetes care, 25: 1378 - 1383. 2004: Tonga STEPS Survey 2004 2012: STEPS Survey Tonga 2012 available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2012_Tonga_STEPSReport.pdf (last accessed 04.05.2020) 2017: Tonga STEPS Survey 2017 https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/713 (Last accessed 13.10.20)
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.

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% Adults living with obesity in selected countries in the Asia/Oceania Region 1975-2019, selected countries

Men

References:

1976, 1981, 1986: Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190
1993: Solon FS. Nutrition related chronic diseases in the Philippines. Makati city, Philippines: Nutrition Center of the Philippines Report Series, vol 2, No.1, cited in Reference 53
1995, 1996: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252
1998: Colaguir S, Colagiuri R, Na'ati S, Muimuiheata S, Hussain Z and Palau T. (2002). The prevalence of diabetes in the Kingdom of Tonga. Diabetes care, 25: 1378 - 1383.
2000: Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration. The burden of overweight and obesity in the Asia-Pacific region. Obesity Reviews 2007;8:191-196.
2001: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11
2002: Report of the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey. 2004. (In Chinese). Chinese Ministry of Public Health (CMPH).
2003: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/files/fnri%20files/nns/factsandfigures2003/anthropometric.pdf (last accessed June 14th 2011)
2004: Tonga STEPS Survey 2004
2005, 2013: Chang HC, Yang HC, Chang HY, et al. Morbid obesity in Taiwan: Prevalence, trends, associated social demographics, and lifestyle factors. PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0169577. Published 2017 Feb 2. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169577
2006: Ministry of Health and Population - MOHP/Nepal, New ERA/Nepal, and Macro International. 2007. Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2006. Kathmandu, Nepal: MOHP/Nepal, New ERA/Nepal, and Macro International.
2007: National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), Mitra and Associates, and Macro International. 2008. Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2007: Key Findings. Calverton, Maryland, USA: NIPORT, Mitra and Associates, and Macro International.
2009: Yan, S., Li, J., Li, S., Zhang, B., Du, S., Gordon-Larsen, P., Adair, L. and Popkin, B. (2012), The expanding burden of cardiometabolic risk in China: the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Obesity Reviews. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2012.01016.x
2011: National Institute of Population Research and Training - NIPORT/Bangladesh, Mitra and Associates/Bangladesh, and ICF International. 2013. Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2011. Dhaka, Bangladesh: NIPORT, Mitra and Associates, and ICF International.
2012: STEPS Survey Tonga 2012 available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2012_Tonga_STEPSReport.pdf (last accessed 04.05.2020)
2014: Australian National Health Survey, 2014-15 First Results. Australian Bureau of Statistics. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4364.0.55.001Appendix22014-15?opendocument&tabname=Notes&prodno=4364.0.55.001&issue=2014-15&num=&view= (last accessed 27th September 2017)
2015: Institute for Public Health (IPH) 2015. National Health and Morbidity Survey 2015 (NHMS 2015). Vol. II: Non-Communicable Diseases, Risk Factors & Other Health Problems; 2015.
2016: Ministry of Health - MOH/Nepal, New ERA/Nepal, and ICF. 2017. Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Kathmandu, Nepal: MOH/Nepal, New ERA/Nepal, and ICF.
2017: National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), and ICF. 2020. Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18. Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NIPORT and ICF https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR344/FR344.pdf (last accessed 10.08.22)
2018: National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2018 published by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Available at https://www.nibiohn.go.jp/eiken/kenkounippon21/download_files/eiyouchousa/2018.pdf (last accessed 17.05.21)
2019: Institute for Public Health (IPH), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia. 2020. National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019: Vol. I: NCDs – Non-Communicable Diseases: Risk Factors and other Health Problems
2020: Annual Update of New Zealand Health Survey 2020/2021 available at https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2020-21-new-zealand-health-survey Accessed 08.11.21.
2022: Australian National Health Survey 2022-2023. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/waist-circumference-and-bmi/2022#body-mass-index-bmi- (Accessed 03.01.2024)
2023: Institute for Public Health (IKU). National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023: Non-Communicable Diseases and Healthcare Demand: Technical Report; 2024. Available at https://iku.nih.gov.my/nhms-2023 (last accessed 04.02.25)

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.

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Women

References:

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.

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Overweight/obesity by age

Adults, 2012

Survey type:	Measured
Sample size:	2599
Area covered:	National
References:	STEPS Survey Tonga 2012 available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2012_Tonga_STEPSReport.pdf (last accessed 04.05.2020)
Notes:	STEPS
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

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Overweight/obesity by region

0-5 years, 2019

Sample size:	1271
References:	MICS: Tonga Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019, Survey Findings Report. Nuku’alofa, Tonga: Tonga Statistics Department
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

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0-5 years, 2012

References:	DHS-Style: Tonga demographic and health survey 2012. Noumea, New Caledonia: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 2013.
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

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Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group

0-5 years, 2019

Sample size:	1271
References:	MICS: Tonga Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019, Survey Findings Report. Nuku’alofa, Tonga: Tonga Statistics Department
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

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0-5 years, 2012

References:	DHS-Style: Tonga demographic and health survey 2012. Noumea, New Caledonia: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 2013.
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

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Double burden of underweight & overweight

Adults, 2022

Survey type:	Measured
Age:	20+
References:	NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults. Lancet 2024; published online Feb 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02750-2.
Notes:	Age Standardised estimates
Definitions:	Combined prevalence of BMI<18.5 kg/m² and BMI>=30 kg/m² (double burden of underweight and obesity)

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Children, 2022

Survey type:	Measured
Age:	5-19
References:	NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults. Lancet 2024; published online Feb 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02750-2.
Notes:	Age standardised estimates
Definitions:	Combined prevalence of BMI < -2SD and BMI > 2SD (double burden of thinness and obesity)
Cutoffs:	BMI < -2SD and BMI > 2SD

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0-5 years, 2019-2019

Survey type:	Measured
Age:	0-5
References:	UNICEF data available at https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/(last accessed 12.03.25)
Notes:	Children under 5 falling below -2 standard deviations from the median height for age and falling at or above +2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height of the reference population

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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

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Men, 2016

References:

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Women, 2016

References:

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption

Children, 2010-2015

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

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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)

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Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption

Children, 2010-2015

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)

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Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption

Children, 2010-2015

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)

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Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption

Children, 2010-2015

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

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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)

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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)

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Mental health - depression disorders

Adults, 2021

Age:	20+
Area covered:	National
References:	Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25)
Definitions:	Number living with depression per 100,000 population (adults 20+ years)

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Men, 2021

Age:	20+
Area covered:	National
References:	Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25)
Definitions:	Number living with depression per 100,000 population (adults 20+ years)

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Women, 2021

Age:	20+
Area covered:	National
References:	Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25)
Definitions:	Number living with depression per 100,000 population (adults 20+ years)

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Adults, 2015-2021

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

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Adults, 2015-2021

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

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Men, 2015-2021

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

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Women, 2015-2021

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

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Children, 2021

Area covered:	National
References:	Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25)
Definitions:	Number living with depressive disorder per 100,000 population (Under 20 years of age)

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Boys, 2021

Area covered:	National
References:	Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25)
Definitions:	Number living with depressive disorder per 100,000 population (Under 20 years of age)

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Girls, 2021

Area covered:	National
References:	Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25)
Definitions:	Number living with depressive disorder per 100,000 population (Under 20 years of age)

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Mental health - anxiety disorders

Adults, 2021

Age:	20+
References:	Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25).
Definitions:	Number living with anxiety per 100,000 population

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Men, 2021

Age:	20+
References:	Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25).
Definitions:	Number living with anxiety per 100,000 population

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Women, 2021

Age:	20+
References:	Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25).
Definitions:	Number living with anxiety per 100,000 population

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Adults, 2015-2021

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

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Adults, 2015-2021

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

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Men, 2015-2021

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

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Women, 2015-2021

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

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Children, 2021

References:

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Available from http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare. (Last accessed 23.04.25)

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Boys, 2021

References:

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Girls, 2021

References:

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% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months

0-5 years, 2007-2023

References:	Tonga Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019, Survey Findings Report. Nuku’alofa, Tonga: Tonga Statistics Department
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.

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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Diabetes prevalence

Adults, 2024

References:

Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edn. Brussels, Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2025. http://www.diabetesatlas.org

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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, %

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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 (%).

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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 (%).

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Economic impact of overweight and obesity

Policies, Interventions and Actions

Action Plan to Reduce the Double Burden of Malnutrition in the Western Pacific Region (2015–2020)

The WHO action plan to reduce the double burden of malnutrition in the Western Pacific Region. It calls for accelerated efforts to improve nutrition. The plan includes targets to halt the increase in childhood overweight and adult and adolescent diabetes and obesity by 2025.

Categories:	Evidence of Obesity Target Transnational Obesity Strategies/Policy/Recommendations or Action Plan
Year(s):	2015-2020
Target age group:	Children
Organisation:	World Health Organisation
Find out more:	www.who.int
Linked document:	Download linked document
References:	World Health Organization. 2015. Action plan to reduce the double burden of malnutrition in the Western Pacific Region (2015–2020).

National Strategy for prevention and control of non communicable diseases 2015-2020

Year(s):	2015-2020
Target age group:	Adults and children
Organisation:	Ministry of Health Tonga, Tonga Health
Linked document:	Download linked document
References:	Tonga Health Promotion Foundation (TongaHealth). Hala Fononga Path to Good Health Ki Ha Tonga Mo'ui Lelei: National strategy for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases 2015–2020. (Kingdom of Tonga, Australian Aid, World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, Tonga Health eds.).Tonga: National Non-Communicable Diseases Committee; 2016.

Public health evidence related to obesity in Tonga - a literature review

Categories:	Health Effectiveness Reviews (obesity related)
Year(s):	2015 (ongoing)
Target age group:	Adults and children
Organisation:	Ministy of Health Tonga & Tonga Health
Linked document:	Download linked document
References:	Michelle Kermode, Gregory Armstrong, Sara Gloede, Seini Filai, Reynold Ofanoa, Sione Hufunga, Ofa Tukia. Public health evidence related to obesity in Tonga- Literature Review. Ministry of Health 2015

Tonga National Healthy Eating Advisory Committee

Categories:	Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):	2015 (ongoing)
Target age group:	Adults and children
Find out more:	www.tongahealth.org
References:	https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en/mechanisms/1562 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/

Tax on sugary drinks

Soft drinks containing sugar or sweeteners are taxed at T$0.5 per litre, this increased to T$1.5 by 2017.

Categories:	Taxation/Subsidies on Food or Beverages or law relating to public health
Year(s):	2013 (ongoing)
Target age group:	Adults and children
Organisation:	Government of Tonga
Find out more:	ago.gov.to
Linked document:	Download linked document
References:	Information provided with kind permission of the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF) NOURISHING Framework. http://www.wcrf.org/int/policy/nourishing-framework

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/

Obesity, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity trends in Tonga and the implications for the prevention and control of NCDs

The report recommends priority groups and behaviours to maximise the health impact of new NCD Strategy

Categories:	Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan Evidence of Physical Activity Guidelines/Policy Evidence of NCD strategy
Categories (partial):	Evidence of National Obesity Strategy/Policy or Action plan
Target age group:	Adults and children
Organisation:	Ministy of Health Tonga & Tonga Health
Linked document:	Download linked document
References:	Obesity, healthy eating and physical activity health trends in Tonga and the implications for the prevention and control of NCDs. Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau, Saia Faletau, Seini Filiai, Sara Gloede,Sione Hufanga, Dr Veisinia Matoto, Elisiva Naati, Dr Reynold 'Ofanoa, Dr Taniela Palu, Dr 'Ofa Tukia. Published by Ministry of Health Tonga & Tonga Health

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?	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)?	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

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)?	Present

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

Obesity prevalence

Trends over time

Report cards

Download report card

Report card (adult data)

Report card (child data)

Report card (under-5s data)

Population breakdowns

By age

By region

By socio-economic group

Double Burden

Drivers

Insufficient activity

Soft drink consumption

Fruit consumption

Vegetable consumption

Fast food consumption

Processed meat consumption

Grains consumption

Depression

Anxiety

Roots of obesity »

Breastfeeding

Download report card

Comorbidities

Raised blood pressure

Raised cholesterol

Raised fasting blood glucose

Diabetes prevalence

Download report card

Economic impact

Economic impact

Download report card

Policies

National Obesity Strategy

Nutritional or Health Strategy

Physical Activity

Tax/Subsidies on Food or Beverages

Transnational Obesity Strategies

NCD Strategy

Health Effectiveness Reviews

Breastfeeding

Obesity Target

Download report card

Contextual factors

Contextual factors

Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2017

Adults, 2012

Adults, 2004

Adults, 1998-2000

Children, 2017

Children, 2010

Children, 2002-2003

0-5 years, 2019

0-5 years, 2019

0-5 years, 2012

% Adults living with obesity in Tonga 1998-2017

Women

Men

% Adults living with overweight or obesity in Tonga 1998-2017

Women

Men

% Adults living with obesity in selected countries in the Asia/Oceania Region 1975-2019, selected countries

Men

Women

Overweight/obesity by age

Adults, 2012

Overweight/obesity by region

0-5 years, 2019

0-5 years, 2012

Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group

0-5 years, 2019

0-5 years, 2012

Double burden of underweight & overweight

Adults, 2022

Children, 2022

0-5 years, 2019-2019

Insufficient physical activity