Health of Population of Lithuania (edition 2020)

Body mass index

 

Nuotr. iš Pixabay.com

 

Body mass index

 

Overweight and obesity are significant risk factors that increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and malignancies. In order to determine the prevalence of overweight and obese population in Lithuania, the survey included the calculation of body mass index (BMI). BMI is a theoretical indicator of the weight-to-height ratio that helps to assess whether a person has normal weight, overweight, or underweight.

The median BMI for the adult population recommended by the World Health Organization is 21–23. Over the last 14 years, the average BMI for men aged 18 and older grew from 25.7 in 2005 to 26.4 in 2019, for women – from 25.7 to 26.3 respectively. The average BMI values of the Lithuanian population, compared to those recommended by the World Health Organization, remain too high. In 2019, 41 per cent of population aged 18 and older had normal weight, 57 per cent – overweight (38 per cent – overweight, 19 per cent – obese). There were more obese women than men (21 and 17 per cent respectively), yet there were more men having overweight than women (43 and 33 per cent respectively). 2 per cent of population were underweight.

 

Population by body mass index, 2005, 2014 and 2019

Per cent

Created with Highcharts 6.1.418.917.316.037.938.334.841.442.546.81.81.92.3Up to 18.518.5–24.9‍‍25.0–29.9‍‍30.0 and over20192014200502.557.51012.51517.52022.52527.53032.53537.54042.54547.55052.55557.56062.56567.57072.57577.58082.58587.59092.59597.5100

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators.

 

Overweight and obesity is a serious public health problem. According to the World Health Organization classification of adult body mass index, BMI of 25 to 29.9 refers to overweight, BMI of 30 and higher – obesity.

 

Population by body mass index and sex, 2005, 2014 and 2019

Per cent

Males Females
Created with Highcharts 6.1.417.017.043.243.238.338.31.41.414.114.144.244.241.241.20.50.512.212.240.340.346.646.60.90.920052014201930.0 and over25.0–29.9‍‍18.5–24.9‍‍Up to 18.5051015202530354045505560

 
Created with Highcharts 6.1.420.520.533.433.443.943.92.22.219.919.933.533.543.543.53.03.019.219.230.330.347.147.13.43.420052014201930.0 and over25.0–29.9‍‍18.5–24.9‍‍Up to 18.5051015202530354045505560

 

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators.

 

Proportion of overweight population (BMI ≥ 25) by age group, 2005, 2014 and 2019

Per cent

Created with Highcharts 6.1.444.344.346.346.344.344.342.842.833.433.432.132.114.914.937.937.946.546.548.448.445.845.843.843.837.237.227.327.316.916.938.338.342.242.243.543.541.041.041.641.636.636.628.928.913.713.734.834.8200520142019Aged 75 and older65–74‍55–64‍45–54‍35–44‍25–34‍18–24‍Aged 18 and older0102030405060

 

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators.

 

Proportion of overweight population (BMI ≥ 25) by age group and sex, 2005, 2014 and 2019

Per cent

Males Females
Created with Highcharts 6.1.447.947.952.652.647.747.746.646.642.442.443.643.618.218.251.851.854.054.052.752.748.548.544.244.237.537.524.224.251.151.145.445.441.841.845.345.344.144.140.540.520.620.6200520142019Aged 75 and older65–74‍55–64‍45–54‍35–44‍25–34‍18–24‍010203040506070

 
Created with Highcharts 6.1.442.842.842.442.441.641.639.239.224.324.319.719.711.411.444.244.245.045.040.340.339.739.730.630.616.716.79.59.538.238.242.342.340.540.5383829.629.617.317.36.36.3200520142019Aged 75 and older65–74‍55–64‍45–54‍35–44‍25–34‍18–24‍010203040506070

 

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators.

 

Based on the results of the surveys carried out in 2005, 2014 and 2019, an increase in the proportion of obese men and women is observed.

Analysis of prevalence of obesity in different age groups of the population shows that the proportion of obese population in different age groups varies and increases with age. The older the people, the higher the proportion of the obese population.

The largest proportion of obese population was recorded in the 55–64 age group, the smallest – in the 18–24 age group.

 

Proportion of obese population (BMI ≥ 30) by age group, 2005, 2014 and 2019

Per cent

Created with Highcharts 6.1.421.221.227.727.729.029.025.625.622.122.114.814.87.87.85.35.318.918.919.519.528.128.128.228.223.823.820.020.013.813.87.47.42.82.817.317.315.915.925.325.330.630.625.025.020.620.614.914.97.47.41.31.316.016.0200520142019Aged 75 and older65–74‍55–64‍45–64‍45–54‍35–44‍25–34‍18–24‍Aged 18 and older010203040

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators.

 

Proportion of obese population (BMI ≥ 30) by age group and sex, 2005, 2014 and 2019

Per cent

Males Females
Created with Highcharts 6.1.419.319.322.122.124.024.023.523.523.023.017.017.08.78.72.92.99.99.918.818.822.622.620.420.418.718.714.414.48.08.03.43.49.29.215.215.221.821.818.118.115.615.614.714.78.38.31.41.4200520142019Aged 75 and older65–74‍55–64‍45–64‍45–54‍35–44‍25–34‍18–24‍01020304050

 
Created with Highcharts 6.1.421.921.931.231.233.033.027.427.421.321.312.712.76.96.97.77.723.723.733.633.632.632.626.626.621.221.213.413.46.76.72.32.318.918.931.631.636.836.830.730.725.325.315.115.16.56.51.21.2200520142019Aged 75 and older65–74‍55–64‍45–64‍45–54‍35–44‍25–34‍18–24‍01020304050

 

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators.