Uganda
Low income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Contextual factors
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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 *4.5/11This 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).
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Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-69 |
| Sample size: | 3466 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Bahendeka Silver, Guwatudde David, Mutungi Gerald, Kusolo Ronald, Kajura Richard and Wesonga Ronald, 2023 Report on Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors STEPS Survey 2023. Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda Available at https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/uganda/steps-survey-2023-moh-report.pdf?sfvrsn=b4e1b914_1&download=true (last accessed 16.04.24) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 10123 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Uganda Bureau of Statistics - UBOS and ICF. 2018. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Kampala, Uganda and Rockville, Maryland, USA: UBOS and ICF.. https://www.dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-fr333-dhs-final-reports.cfm (last accessed 18.11.19) |
| Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59. |
| 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
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-69 |
| Sample size: | 3670 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO STEPS Survey UGANDA 2014, available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/Uganda_2014_STEPS_Report.pdf (last accessed 22.10.20) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 4572 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Uganda Bureau of Statistics -UBOS- and ICF International. 2012. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2011. Kampala, Uganda: UBOS and ICF International. |
| Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 2434 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Uganda Bureau of Statistics - UBOS and Macro International. 2007. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2006. Calverton, Maryland, USA: UBOS and Macro International. |
| Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 2000-2001
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 3322 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 |
| Notes: | The data from this paper was sourced from the Demographic Health Survey Programme https://dhsprogram.com/ Central Statistical Office and Macro International. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Central Statistical Office and Macro International |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women, 1995
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 3199 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 |
| Notes: | The data from this paper was sourced from the Demographic Health Survey Programme https://dhsprogram.com/ Central Statistical Office and Macro International. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Central Statistical Office and Macro International |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-19 |
| Sample size: | 970 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Benedict, Rukundo K., Allison Schmale, and Sorrel Namaste. 2018. Adolescent Nutrition 2000-2017: DHS Data on Adolescents Age 15-19. DHS Comparative Report No. 47. Rockville, Maryland, USA: ICF. Uganda Bureau of Statistics -UBOS- and ICF International. 2012. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2011. Kampala, Uganda: UBOS and ICF International. |
| Notes: | 502 girls and 468 boys. Small sample size |
| Definitions: | BMI for age: between +1 SD and +2 SD is overweight and greater than +2 SD is obesity |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Children, 2003
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 3215 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/gshs_fs_UG_national.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 24.11.20) |
| Notes: | WHO cutoffs. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
0-5 years, 2019-2020
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 4664972 |
| References: | LSMS: Uganda National Panel Survey 2019-2020 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 2018-2019
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 5471695 |
| References: | LSMS: Uganda National Panel Survey 2018-2019 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 2016
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 5191 |
| References: | DHS: Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Kampala, Uganda and Rockville, Maryland, USA: UBOS and ICF. 2018 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 5136 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Uganda Bureau of Statistics - UBOS and ICF. 2018. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Kampala, Uganda and Rockville, Maryland, USA: UBOS and ICF. https://www.dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-fr333-dhs-final-reports.cfm (last accessed 18.05.21) |
| Notes: | Infants. |
| Definitions: | Weight for Height. Overweight = >2SD |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
0-5 years, 2013-2014
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3685526 |
| References: | LSMS: The Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) 2013/14 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 2011-2012
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2886091 |
| References: | LSMS: Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) - Wave III. Kampala, Uganda: UBOS, 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 |
0-5 years, 2011
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2426 |
| References: | DHS: Uganda demographic and health survey 2011. Demographic and Health Surveys. Kampala, Uganda: UBOS and Calverton, Maryland: ICF International Inc., 2012 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 2010-2011
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3018119 |
| References: | LSMS: Uganda National Panel Survey 2010/11 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 2009-2010
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3322709 |
| References: | LSMS: The Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) 2009/10 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 2006
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2756 |
| References: | DHS: Uganda demographic and health survey 2006. Demographic and Health Surveys. Calverton, Maryland, USA: UBOS and Macro International Inc., 2007 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 2000-2001
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 6363 |
| References: | DHS: Uganda demographic and health survey 2000-2001. Demographic and Health Surveys. Calverton, Maryland, USA: UBOS and ORC Macro, 2001 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 1995
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 4925 |
| References: | DHS: Uganda demographic and health survey 1995. Demographic and Health Surveys. Calverton, Maryland: Statistics Department and Macro International Inc., 1996 |
| 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 |
0-5 years, 1988-1989
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3805 |
| References: | DHS: Uganda demographic and health survey 1988/89. Demographic and Health Surveys. Ministry of Health. Entebbe, Uganda, 1989 |
| 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 |
% Adults living with obesity in Uganda 1995-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1995: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 2000: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2006: Uganda Bureau of Statistics - UBOS and Macro International. 2007. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2006. Calverton, Maryland, USA: UBOS and Macro International. 2011: Uganda Bureau of Statistics -UBOS- and ICF International. 2012. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2011. Kampala, Uganda: UBOS and ICF International. 2016: Uganda Bureau of Statistics - UBOS and ICF. 2018. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Kampala, Uganda and Rockville, Maryland, USA: UBOS and ICF.. https://www.dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-fr333-dhs-final-reports.cfm (last accessed 18.11.19) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity in Uganda 1995-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1995: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 2000: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2006: Uganda Bureau of Statistics - UBOS and Macro International. 2007. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2006. Calverton, Maryland, USA: UBOS and Macro International. 2011: Uganda Bureau of Statistics -UBOS- and ICF International. 2012. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2011. Kampala, Uganda: UBOS and ICF International. 2016: Uganda Bureau of Statistics - UBOS and ICF. 2018. Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Kampala, Uganda and Rockville, Maryland, USA: UBOS and ICF.. https://www.dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-fr333-dhs-final-reports.cfm (last accessed 18.11.19) |
| 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. | |
