Overweight and Obesity in Eastern Mediterranean Region: Prevalence and Possible Causes

Table 3

National prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25–29.9) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) among adults in selected EMR countries.

Country	Date of survey	Sample size	Sex	Age (year)	% Overweight	% Obesity	References
Bahrain	2007	863	M	20–65	34.8	32.3	[33]
		906	F		31.1	40.3
Iran	2004-2005	45082	M	15–65	42.8	11.1	[34]
		44322	F		57.0	25.2
Kuwait	2007	918	M	20–65	38.9	39.2	[35]
		1362	F		28.9	53.0
Lebanon	1995-96	501	M	20–70	43.4	14.3	[27]
		715	F		30.6	15.5
Libya	2000	334	M	15–50	19.2	5.8	[36]
		350	F		21.1	7.1
Morocco	1998-99	9120	M	18+	28.0	5.7	[37]
		8200	F		33.0	18.3
Oman	2000	3076	M	20–70	30.6	15.5	[38]
		3367	F		27.2	22.3
Palestine	2002	1534	F	15–49	—	10.9	[39]
Saudi Arabia	2005	1658	M	25–65	43.0	31.5	[40]
		1621	F		28.8	50.4
Tunisia	2005	2379	M	35–70	51.7	37.0	[41]
		2964	F		71.1	13.3