WHO Americas region
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
Loading data – please wait …
Report cards
Our report cards collate all the most-recent graphics for this region. 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.
Drivers
Obesity prevalence
Adults
| Survey type: | Countries marked with a * are using self-reported data. |
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men
| Survey type: | Countries marked with a * are using self-reported data. |
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women
| Survey type: | Countries marked with a * are using self-reported data. |
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children
| Survey type: | Countries marked with a * are using self-reported data. |
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
Boys
| Survey type: | Countries marked with a * are using self-reported data. |
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
Girls
| Survey type: | Countries marked with a * are using self-reported data. |
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
0-5 years
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
0-5 years boys
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
0-5 years girls
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
Obesity prevalence (measured data only)
Adults
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Men
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Women
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
Boys
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
Girls
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
0-5 years
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
0-5 years boys
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
0-5 years girls
| Notes: | Different methodologies have been used to collect this data and so it is not strictly comparable. |
Insufficient activity
Adults, 2016-2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO (2024). Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18-years age-standardized estimate in 2022. Available at https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/prevalence-of-insufficient-physical-activity-among-adults-aged-18-years-(age-standardized-estimate)-(-) |
| Definitions: | Percent of population attaining less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or less than 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or equivalent. |
Men, 2016-2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO (2024). Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18-years age-standardized estimate in 2022. Available at https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/prevalence-of-insufficient-physical-activity-among-adults-aged-18-years-(age-standardized-estimate)-(-) |
| Definitions: | Percent of population attaining less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or less than 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or equivalent. |
Women, 2016-2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO (2024). Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18-years age-standardized estimate in 2022. Available at https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/prevalence-of-insufficient-physical-activity-among-adults-aged-18-years-(age-standardized-estimate)-(-) |
| Definitions: | Percent of population attaining less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or less than 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or equivalent. |
Children, 2016-2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Area covered: | National |
| 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 international report from the 2021/2022 survey. Volume 4. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2024. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (2023), Data browser (findings from the 2021/22 international HBSC survey): https://data-browser.hbsc.org. |
| Notes: | Young people were asked to report the number of days over the past week during which they were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes. The question was introduced by text defining moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as any activity that increases the heart rate and makes the person get out of breath some of the time, with examples provided. Findings presented on the Observatory show the proportions who report less than 60 minutes of MVPA daily. NB. National except Belgium (Flemish speaking region only) |
| Definitions: | % reporting less than 60 minutes of MVPA daily |
Boys, 2016-2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Area covered: | National |
| 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 international report from the 2021/2022 survey. Volume 4. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2024. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (2023), Data browser (findings from the 2021/22 international HBSC survey): https://data-browser.hbsc.org. |
| Notes: | Young people were asked to report the number of days over the past week during which they were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes. The question was introduced by text defining moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as any activity that increases the heart rate and makes the person get out of breath some of the time, with examples provided. Findings presented on the Observatory show the proportions who report less than 60 minutes of MVPA daily. NB. National except Belgium (Flemish speaking region only) |
| Definitions: | % reporting less than 60 minutes of MVPA daily |
Girls, 2016-2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Area covered: | National |
| 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 international report from the 2021/2022 survey. Volume 4. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2024. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (2023), Data browser (findings from the 2021/22 international HBSC survey): https://data-browser.hbsc.org. |
| Notes: | Young people were asked to report the number of days over the past week during which they were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes. The question was introduced by text defining moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as any activity that increases the heart rate and makes the person get out of breath some of the time, with examples provided. Findings presented on the Observatory show the proportions who report less than 60 minutes of MVPA daily. NB. National except Belgium (Flemish speaking region only) |
| Definitions: | % reporting less than 60 minutes of MVPA daily |
Prevalence of at least daily carbonated soft drink consumption
Boys, 2021-2022
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (2023), Data browser (findings from the 2021/22 international HBSC survey): https://data-browser.hbsc.org |
| Definitions: | Proportion who reported drinking sugary soft drinks daily (at least once) |
Girls, 2021-2022
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (2023), Data browser (findings from the 2021/22 international HBSC survey): https://data-browser.hbsc.org |
| Definitions: | Proportion who reported drinking sugary soft drinks daily (at least once) |
Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption
Children, 2009-2015
| 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 |
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, 2009-2015
| 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, 2009-2015
| 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) |
Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption
Children, 2009-2015
| 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 |
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, 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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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) |
Boys, 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) |
Girls, 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) |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 |
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2022
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 |
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 |
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 |
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Indicence per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 |
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Incidence per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2022
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024).Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed [16.07.24] |
| Definitions: | Incidence 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, 2024
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edn. Brussels, Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2025. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
