Average BMI for Adults 2002
The average BMI for adults provides insight into a country's health trends, highlighting potential obesity issues.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nauru | 33 kg/m² | |
2 | Cook Islands | 31.5 kg/m² | |
3 | Niue | 30.5 kg/m² | |
4 | Tonga | 30.1 kg/m² | |
5 | Palau | 29.3 kg/m² | |
6 | Samoa | 29.2 kg/m² | |
7 | Tuvalu | 29.2 kg/m² | |
8 | Kiribati | 28.3 kg/m² | |
9 | Marshall Islands | 28.3 kg/m² | |
10 | United States | 27.9 kg/m² | |
11 | Kuwait | 27.7 kg/m² | |
12 | Micronesia (Fed. States of) | 27.5 kg/m² | |
13 | Qatar | 27.4 kg/m² | |
14 | Malta | 27.2 kg/m² | |
15 | Andorra | 27 kg/m² | |
16 | Czech Republic | 27 kg/m² | |
17 | New Zealand | 27 kg/m² | |
18 | Saudi Arabia | 27 kg/m² | |
19 | Canada | 26.9 kg/m² | |
20 | Cyprus | 26.9 kg/m² | |
21 | Greece | 26.9 kg/m² | |
22 | Ireland | 26.9 kg/m² | |
23 | United Arab Emirates | 26.9 kg/m² | |
24 | Australia | 26.8 kg/m² | |
25 | Jordan | 26.8 kg/m² | |
26 | Spain | 26.7 kg/m² | |
27 | Hungary | 26.6 kg/m² | |
28 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 26.6 kg/m² | |
29 | United Kingdom | 26.6 kg/m² | |
30 | Argentina | 26.5 kg/m² | |
31 | Egypt | 26.5 kg/m² | |
32 | Germany | 26.5 kg/m² | |
33 | Lebanon | 26.5 kg/m² | |
34 | Mexico | 26.5 kg/m² | |
35 | Saint Lucia | 26.5 kg/m² | |
36 | Chile | 26.4 kg/m² | |
37 | Croatia | 26.3 kg/m² | |
38 | Israel | 26.3 kg/m² | |
39 | Belize | 26.2 kg/m² | |
40 | Finland | 26.2 kg/m² | |
41 | Iceland | 26.2 kg/m² | |
42 | Iraq | 26.2 kg/m² | |
43 | Luxembourg | 26.2 kg/m² | |
44 | Norway | 26.2 kg/m² | |
45 | Slovakia | 26.2 kg/m² | |
46 | Syrian Arab Republic | 26.2 kg/m² | |
47 | Venezuela | 26.2 kg/m² | |
48 | Italy | 26.1 kg/m² | |
49 | Lithuania | 26.1 kg/m² | |
50 | Belgium | 26 kg/m² | |
51 | North Macedonia | 26 kg/m² | |
52 | Austria | 25.9 kg/m² | |
53 | Bahamas | 25.9 kg/m² | |
54 | Libya | 25.9 kg/m² | |
55 | Turkey | 25.9 kg/m² | |
56 | Bulgaria | 25.8 kg/m² | |
57 | Estonia | 25.8 kg/m² | |
58 | Georgia | 25.8 kg/m² | |
59 | Poland | 25.8 kg/m² | |
60 | Portugal | 25.8 kg/m² | |
61 | Sweden | 25.8 kg/m² | |
62 | Switzerland | 25.8 kg/m² | |
63 | Ukraine | 25.8 kg/m² | |
64 | Costa Rica | 25.7 kg/m² | |
65 | Denmark | 25.7 kg/m² | |
66 | El Salvador | 25.7 kg/m² | |
67 | Latvia | 25.7 kg/m² | |
68 | Serbia | 25.7 kg/m² | |
69 | Uruguay | 25.7 kg/m² | |
70 | Montenegro | 25.6 kg/m² | |
71 | Albania | 25.5 kg/m² | |
72 | Belarus | 25.4 kg/m² | |
73 | France | 25.4 kg/m² | |
74 | Nicaragua | 25.4 kg/m² | |
75 | Slovenia | 25.4 kg/m² | |
76 | Trinidad and Tobago | 25.4 kg/m² | |
77 | Brunei Darussalam | 25.3 kg/m² | |
78 | Fiji | 25.3 kg/m² | |
79 | Republic of Moldova | 25.3 kg/m² | |
80 | Netherlands | 25.3 kg/m² | |
81 | Barbados | 25.2 kg/m² | |
82 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 25.2 kg/m² | |
83 | Oman | 25.2 kg/m² | |
84 | Panama | 25.2 kg/m² | |
85 | Bahrain | 25.1 kg/m² | |
86 | Kazakhstan | 25.1 kg/m² | |
87 | Vanuatu | 25.1 kg/m² | |
88 | Ecuador | 25 kg/m² | |
89 | Paraguay | 25 kg/m² | |
90 | Russia | 25 kg/m² | |
91 | Turkmenistan | 25 kg/m² | |
92 | Azerbaijan | 24.9 kg/m² | |
93 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 24.9 kg/m² | |
94 | Romania | 24.8 kg/m² | |
95 | Brazil | 24.7 kg/m² | |
96 | Honduras | 24.7 kg/m² | |
97 | Uzbekistan | 24.7 kg/m² | |
98 | Armenia | 24.6 kg/m² | |
99 | Haiti | 24.6 kg/m² | |
100 | Kyrgyzstan | 24.6 kg/m² | |
101 | Antigua and Barbuda | 24.5 kg/m² | |
102 | Dominican Republic | 24.5 kg/m² | |
103 | Guatemala | 24.5 kg/m² | |
104 | Peru | 24.5 kg/m² | |
105 | Solomon Islands | 24.5 kg/m² | |
106 | Suriname | 24.5 kg/m² | |
107 | Iran | 24.4 kg/m² | |
108 | Tajikistan | 24.4 kg/m² | |
109 | Colombia | 24.3 kg/m² | |
110 | Seychelles | 24.3 kg/m² | |
111 | Papua New Guinea | 24.2 kg/m² | |
112 | South Africa | 24.2 kg/m² | |
113 | Tunisia | 24.2 kg/m² | |
114 | Cuba | 24.1 kg/m² | |
115 | Jamaica | 24.1 kg/m² | |
116 | Morocco | 24.1 kg/m² | |
117 | Grenada | 24 kg/m² | |
118 | Mauritius | 24 kg/m² | |
119 | Mongolia | 24 kg/m² | |
120 | Bolivia | 23.9 kg/m² | |
121 | Dominica | 23.8 kg/m² | |
122 | Guyana | 23.8 kg/m² | |
123 | Malaysia | 23.8 kg/m² | |
124 | Singapore | 23.7 kg/m² | |
125 | Algeria | 23.6 kg/m² | |
126 | South Korea | 23.5 kg/m² | |
127 | Eswatini | 23.3 kg/m² | |
128 | Gabon | 23.1 kg/m² | |
129 | Japan | 23.1 kg/m² | |
130 | North Korea | 23.1 kg/m² | |
131 | Djibouti | 23 kg/m² | |
132 | Liberia | 23 kg/m² | |
133 | Sao Tome and Principe | 23 kg/m² | |
134 | Cabo Verde | 22.8 kg/m² | |
135 | Cameroon | 22.7 kg/m² | |
136 | China | 22.6 kg/m² | |
137 | Côte d'Ivoire | 22.6 kg/m² | |
138 | Comoros | 22.5 kg/m² | |
139 | Maldives | 22.5 kg/m² | |
140 | Yemen | 22.5 kg/m² | |
141 | Mauritania | 22.4 kg/m² | |
142 | Thailand | 22.4 kg/m² | |
143 | Bhutan | 22.2 kg/m² | |
144 | Pakistan | 22.2 kg/m² | |
145 | Ghana | 22.1 kg/m² | |
146 | Philippines | 22.1 kg/m² | |
147 | Benin | 21.9 kg/m² | |
148 | Guinea-Bissau | 21.9 kg/m² | |
149 | Nigeria | 21.9 kg/m² | |
150 | Botswana | 21.8 kg/m² | |
151 | Mali | 21.8 kg/m² | |
152 | Namibia | 21.8 kg/m² | |
153 | Tanzania | 21.8 kg/m² | |
154 | Zimbabwe | 21.8 kg/m² | |
155 | Guinea | 21.7 kg/m² | |
156 | Lesotho | 21.7 kg/m² | |
157 | Malawi | 21.7 kg/m² | |
158 | Somalia | 21.7 kg/m² | |
159 | Togo | 21.7 kg/m² | |
160 | Gambia | 21.6 kg/m² | |
161 | Afghanistan | 21.5 kg/m² | |
162 | Congo | 21.5 kg/m² | |
163 | Equatorial Guinea | 21.5 kg/m² | |
164 | Kenya | 21.5 kg/m² | |
165 | Sierra Leone | 21.5 kg/m² | |
166 | Angola | 21.3 kg/m² | |
167 | Senegal | 21.3 kg/m² | |
168 | Burkina Faso | 21.2 kg/m² | |
169 | Central African Republic | 21.2 kg/m² | |
170 | Chad | 21.2 kg/m² | |
171 | Indonesia | 21.2 kg/m² | |
172 | Mozambique | 21.2 kg/m² | |
173 | Nepal | 21.2 kg/m² | |
174 | Sri Lanka | 21.2 kg/m² | |
175 | Laos | 21.1 kg/m² | |
176 | Burundi | 21 kg/m² | |
177 | Myanmar | 21 kg/m² | |
178 | Cambodia | 20.9 kg/m² | |
179 | Madagascar | 20.9 kg/m² | |
180 | India | 20.8 kg/m² | |
181 | Niger | 20.7 kg/m² | |
182 | Bangladesh | 20.6 kg/m² | |
183 | Rwanda | 20.6 kg/m² | |
184 | Uganda | 20.6 kg/m² | |
185 | Zambia | 20.6 kg/m² | |
186 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 20.4 kg/m² | |
187 | Eritrea | 20.2 kg/m² | |
188 | Timor-Leste | 20.1 kg/m² | |
189 | Vietnam | 20.1 kg/m² | |
190 | Ethiopia | 19.8 kg/m² |
- #1
Nauru
- #2
Cook Islands
- #3
Niue
- #4
Tonga
- #5
Palau
- #6
Samoa
- #7
Tuvalu
- #8
Kiribati
- #9
Marshall Islands
- #10
United States
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #190
Ethiopia
- #189
Vietnam
- #188
Timor-Leste
- #187
Eritrea
- #186
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- #185
Zambia
- #184
Uganda
- #183
Rwanda
- #182
Bangladesh
- #181
Niger
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2002, the country with the highest Average BMI for Adults was Nauru, with a BMI of 33.0 kg/m², while the global range spanned from 19.8 kg/m² to 33.0 kg/m². The global average BMI for adults was 24.44 kg/m², providing a snapshot of health trends worldwide.
Geographical Patterns and Economic Influences
The data reveals significant geographical and economic patterns in the Average BMI for Adults. Pacific Island nations, such as Nauru (33.0 kg/m²), Cook Islands (31.5 kg/m²), and Niue (30.5 kg/m²), top the list with the highest average BMIs. This trend is often attributed to economic and lifestyle changes, including increased access to calorie-dense foods and a shift away from traditional diets. These countries often face limited agricultural resources, leading to high importation rates of processed foods, which can contribute to higher obesity rates.
In contrast, countries with lower BMIs, such as Ethiopia (19.8 kg/m²) and Vietnam (20.1 kg/m²), are typically characterized by lower economic development and higher rates of food insecurity. These factors contribute to undernutrition and lower average BMIs. The disparity between these regions underscores the impact of economic status on nutritional health.
Demographic and Cultural Drivers
Demographic factors also play a crucial role in shaping the Average BMI for Adults. In the United States, with a BMI of 27.9 kg/m², cultural factors such as dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles contribute to higher BMI values. The prevalence of fast food and processed meals, coupled with a high rate of urbanization, influences dietary patterns and physical activity levels.
Conversely, countries like Rwanda (20.6 kg/m²) and Bangladesh (20.6 kg/m²) often have cultural norms that emphasize physical labor and traditional diets, which are lower in processed sugars and fats. These cultural practices can help maintain lower average BMIs despite economic challenges.
Policy and Public Health Implications
Public health policies have a significant impact on national BMI averages. In countries like Malaysia and the United States, which both saw an increase of 0.20 kg/m² in their average BMI, policy interventions might be necessary to address rising obesity rates. Initiatives promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and nutrition education can help mitigate these trends.
On the other hand, nations such as Nauru, despite having the highest BMI, saw a slight decrease of 0.10 kg/m². This suggests that efforts to address obesity, possibly through targeted health campaigns and community programs, may be beginning to take effect, highlighting the importance of sustained policy interventions.
Year-over-Year Changes and Their Significance
The year-over-year changes in Average BMI for Adults highlight both progress and ongoing challenges. The Gambia, United States, Saint Lucia, and Malaysia each experienced the largest increases of 0.20 kg/m², indicating a trend towards higher BMI that could be linked to lifestyle changes and increased availability of high-calorie foods.
Conversely, countries like Bahrain and Nauru recorded decreases in their average BMI, albeit slight, suggesting potential success in public health efforts aimed at reducing obesity. These shifts underscore the dynamic nature of global health trends and the need for adaptive health policies that address both economic and cultural contexts.
In summary, the Average BMI for Adults in 2002 reveals critical insights into global health patterns. The data emphasizes the influence of economic status, cultural practices, and public health policies on national health outcomes. Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective strategies to promote healthier populations worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Average BMI for Adults in 2002
Which country had the highest average BMI for adults in 2002?
Nauru had the highest average BMI for adults in 2002, with a value of 33 kg/m².
Which country had the lowest average BMI for adults in 2002?
Ethiopia had the lowest average BMI for adults in 2002, with a value of 19.8 kg/m².
What was the average BMI for adults across all countries in 2002?
The average BMI for adults across all countries in 2002 was 24.44 kg/m².
What was the median BMI value for countries in 2002?
The median BMI value for countries in 2002 was 24.7 kg/m².
Which countries were in the top 3 for highest average BMI in 2002?
The top 3 countries for highest average BMI in 2002 were Nauru with 33 kg/m², Cook Islands with 31.5 kg/m², and Niue with 30.5 kg/m².
How many countries are included in the dataset for average BMI in 2002?
The dataset for average BMI in 2002 includes 190 countries.
Insights by country
Singapore
In 2002, Singapore had an Average BMI for Adults of 23.7 kg/m², ranking #124 out of 190 countries. This BMI value is lower than the global average, reflecting a healthier weight status compared to many other nations. Contributing factors include Singapore's robust healthcare system, public health initiatives promoting active lifestyles, and a high standard of living that influences dietary choices.
Iran
In 2002, Iran ranked #107 globally with an average BMI for adults of 24.4 kg/m². This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting a trend seen in many Middle Eastern countries where dietary habits have shifted towards higher calorie consumption. Contributing factors to Iran's average BMI include urbanization, which has led to more sedentary lifestyles, and changing food availability, with increased reliance on processed foods. Additionally, economic sanctions have impacted agricultural production and food imports, further influencing dietary patterns.
Mauritania
Mauritania ranked #141 globally for Average BMI for Adults in 2002, with a value of 22.4 kg/m². This figure is relatively low compared to many countries in North Africa, where higher BMIs are often observed. Contributing factors to this statistic include Mauritania's economic challenges, which impact access to diverse and nutritious food, as well as cultural practices that influence dietary habits.
Belgium
In 2002, Belgium had an Average BMI for Adults of 26 kg/m², ranking #50 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly above the European average, indicating a growing concern over obesity in the region. Contributing factors include Belgium's high-calorie diet, characterized by rich foods and beer, alongside a sedentary lifestyle prevalent in urban areas.
Thailand
In 2002, Thailand had an Average BMI for Adults of 22.4 kg/m², ranking #142 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly below the global average, indicating a relatively moderate weight status among its adult population. Contributing factors include Thailand's diverse cuisine, which emphasizes rice and vegetables, and a growing urban lifestyle that influences dietary habits and physical activity levels.
Gabon
In 2002, Gabon had an Average BMI for Adults of 23.1 kg/m², ranking #128 out of 190 countries. This figure is relatively moderate compared to higher BMI averages in neighboring countries, reflecting varied dietary habits and lifestyle choices in the region. Gabon's economy, heavily reliant on oil, influences access to food and healthcare, which can impact nutritional status and overall health outcomes.
Eritrea
Eritrea ranked #187 globally with an average BMI for adults of 20.2 kg/m² in 2002. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, indicating a higher prevalence of undernutrition compared to many other countries.
Factors contributing to this low BMI include Eritrea's challenging economic conditions, limited access to healthcare, and a history of conflict that has disrupted agricultural production and food security.
Tanzania
Tanzania's Average BMI for Adults in 2002 was 21.8 kg/m², ranking the country #154 out of 190 countries. This figure is below the global average, indicating a prevalence of undernutrition compared to higher-ranking nations. Contributing factors include economic challenges, limited access to healthcare, and a significant portion of the population engaged in subsistence agriculture, which affects dietary diversity.
Italy
In 2002, Italy had an average BMI for adults of 26.1 kg/m², ranking #48 out of 190 countries. This figure is higher than the European average, indicating a trend of increasing weight in the region. Contributing factors include Italy’s rich culinary culture, which emphasizes high-calorie traditional foods, along with a sedentary lifestyle in urban areas.
Latvia
In 2002, Latvia had an Average BMI for Adults of 25.7 kg/m², ranking #67 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly above the European average, indicating a moderate prevalence of overweight individuals in the population. Contributing factors include Latvia's transition to a market economy post-independence, which has influenced dietary habits and lifestyle choices, as well as urbanization patterns that affect physical activity levels.
Data Source
Mean body mass index (BMI) in men | Our World in Data
Our World in Data is a research organization that provides comprehensive global statistics on various topics, including health, economics, and environment. The dataset on mean body mass index (BMI) in men presents country-level statistics on the average BMI of adult males across different nations.
Visit Data SourceHistorical Data by Year
Explore Average BMI for Adults data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.