Obesity is associated with numerous chronic conditions diseases. A healthy lifestyle, with a balanced diet and the regular practice of a physical activity, help to prevent weight gain and the many related complications.
Overweight and obesity in Belgium
The following figures emerge from the Health Interview Survey 2018:
- Average BMI of the adult population (18 years and older): 25,5
- Percentage of the adult population who are overweight (BMI ≥25): 49,3%
- Percentage of the adult population with obesity (BMI ≥30): 15,9%
- Percentage of young people (2-17 years old) who are overweight: 19,0%
- Percentage of adolescents (2-17 years old) with obesity: 5,8%
Overweight and obesity in the world
Obesity is developing in the world at such a rate that is recognised as an epidemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO):
Cost of overweight and obesity
- The costs resulting from overweight and obesity vary between 0.7% and 8% of annual healthcare expenditure (only in French and Dutch, WIV-ISP, 2013).
- The costs linked to obesity could represent up to 1% of the GDP of certain countries in the European region.
- In 2000, the medical costs of the principal pathologies associated with obesity – diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, coronary diseases– amounted to 600 million euro in Belgium, i.e. almost 6 % of the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance budget (only in French and Dutch).