Tunisia
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Policies
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National obesity risk *7/10This 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
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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
Comorbidities
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2005
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 35-70 |
Sample size: | 5343 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | El Ati J, Traissac P, Delpeuch F, Aounallah-Skhiri H, Béji C, et al. (2012) Gender Obesity Inequities Are Huge but Differ Greatly According to Environment and Socio-Economics in a North African Setting: A National Cross-Sectional Study in Tunisia. PLoS ONE 7(10): e48153. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048153 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1997
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-60 |
Sample size: | 2760 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Mokhtar N, Elati J, Chabir R, Bour A, Elkari K, Schlossman NP, Caballero B and Aguenaou H. (2001). Diet, culture and obesity in Northern Africa. Journal of Nutrition. 131: 887S - 892S. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1990
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 8611 |
References: | Shetty P, James WPT. BMI distribution in developed and developing countries. FAO Food and Nutrition Papers. 1994 No. 56 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-18 |
Sample size: | 418 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Musaiger A.O et al. 2016. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in eight Arab countries: comparison between two international standards (ARABEAT-2). Nutr Hosp. 33(5). pp. 1062-1065. |
Notes: | IOTF cut-offs used |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2012-2013
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-11 |
Sample size: | 4647 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ghouili H et al 2018. Body mass index reference curves for Tunisian children. Arch Pediatr. 2018 Nov;25(8):459-463. |
Notes: | IOTF International Cut off used |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2011
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 9-12 |
Sample size: | 1529 |
Area covered: | Regional |
References: | Regaieg et al 2014. [Prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in a population of school children in urban areas Sfax, Tunisia]. Pan Afr Med J.7(57). doi: 10.11604/pamj.2014.17.57.3351. |
Notes: | Sfax, Tunisia IOTF cut-offs used. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2005
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-19 |
Sample size: | 2872 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Aounallah-Skhiri H, Romdhane HB, Traissac P et al. Nutritional status of Tunisian adolescents: associated gender,environmental and socio-economic factors Public Health Nutrition: 11(12), 1306–1317 |
Notes: | IOTF cut off used NB numbers are only in text in paper. WHO 85th centile shown in tables in paper |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by education
Men, 2005
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 35-70 |
Sample size: | 5343 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Atek M, Traissac P, El Ati J, et al. Obesity and association with area of residence, gender and socio-economic factors in Algerian and Tunisian adults. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 8;8(10):e75640. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075640. eCollection 2013 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2005
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 35-70 |
Sample size: | 5343 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Atek M, Traissac P, El Ati J, et al. Obesity and association with area of residence, gender and socio-economic factors in Algerian and Tunisian adults. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 8;8(10):e75640. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075640. eCollection 2013 |
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 age
Adults, 2005
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 5343 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Atek M, Traissac P, El Ati J, et al. Obesity and association with area of residence, gender and socio-economic factors in Algerian and Tunisian adults. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 8;8(10):e75640. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075640. eCollection 2013 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2012-2013
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 4647 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ghouili H et al 2018. Body mass index reference curves for Tunisian children. Arch Pediatr. 2018 Nov;25(8):459-463. |
Notes: | IOTF International Cut Off |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Men, 2005
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 35-70 |
Sample size: | 5343 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Atek M, Traissac P, El Ati J, et al. Obesity and association with area of residence, gender and socio-economic factors in Algerian and Tunisian adults. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 8;8(10):e75640. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075640. eCollection 2013 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2005
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 35-70 |
Sample size: | 5343 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Atek M, Traissac P, El Ati J, et al. Obesity and association with area of residence, gender and socio-economic factors in Algerian and Tunisian adults. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 8;8(10):e75640. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075640. eCollection 2013 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
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) |
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, 2008-2015
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, 2008-2015
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) |
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 |
% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months
Children, 2010-2019
Area covered: | National |
References: | Enquête par grappes à indicateurs multiples (MICS), 2018, Rapport Final. Tunisie: le Ministère du Développement de l’Investissement et de la Coopération Internationale (MDICI) |
Notes: | See UNICEF website for further survey information. Available at : https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/infant-young-child-feeding/ (last accessed 28.9.21) Citation: United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2021). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding, New York, September 2021. |
Definitions: | % exclusively breastfed 0-5 months |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) 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 (%). |