Average BMI for Adults 2010

The average BMI for adults provides insight into a country's health trends, highlighting potential obesity issues.

190 data pointsGlobal CoverageMean body mass index (BMI) in men | Our World in Data

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Nauru flag
Nauru
32.5 kg/m²
2
Cook Islands flag
Cook Islands
32.2 kg/m²
3
Niue flag
Niue
31 kg/m²
4
Tonga flag
Tonga
30.3 kg/m²
5
Samoa flag
Samoa
29.9 kg/m²
6
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
29.6 kg/m²
7
Palau flag
Palau
29.4 kg/m²
8
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
28.7 kg/m²
9
United States flag
United States
28.6 kg/m²
10
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
28.5 kg/m²
11
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
28.4 kg/m²
12
Qatar flag
Qatar
28.2 kg/m²
13
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
28.2 kg/m²
14
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
27.8 kg/m²
15
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
27.8 kg/m²
16
Ireland flag
Ireland
27.6 kg/m²
17
Jordan flag
Jordan
27.6 kg/m²
18
Malta flag
Malta
27.6 kg/m²
19
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
27.5 kg/m²
20
Hungary flag
Hungary
27.5 kg/m²
21
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
27.5 kg/m²
22
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
27.5 kg/m²
23
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
27.5 kg/m²
24
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
27.4 kg/m²
25
Andorra flag
Andorra
27.3 kg/m²
26
Australia flag
Australia
27.3 kg/m²
27
Greece flag
Greece
27.3 kg/m²
28
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
27.3 kg/m²
29
Argentina flag
Argentina
27.2 kg/m²
30
Canada flag
Canada
27.2 kg/m²
31
Chile flag
Chile
27.2 kg/m²
32
Croatia flag
Croatia
27.2 kg/m²
33
Egypt flag
Egypt
27.2 kg/m²
34
Israel flag
Israel
27.1 kg/m²
35
Mexico flag
Mexico
27.1 kg/m²
36
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
27.1 kg/m²
37
Belize flag
Belize
27 kg/m²
38
Germany flag
Germany
27 kg/m²
39
Iraq flag
Iraq
27 kg/m²
40
Spain flag
Spain
27 kg/m²
41
Norway flag
Norway
26.9 kg/m²
42
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
26.8 kg/m²
43
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
26.8 kg/m²
44
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
26.8 kg/m²
45
Georgia flag
Georgia
26.7 kg/m²
46
Iceland flag
Iceland
26.7 kg/m²
47
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
26.7 kg/m²
48
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
26.6 kg/m²
49
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
26.6 kg/m²
50
Poland flag
Poland
26.6 kg/m²
51
Turkey flag
Turkey
26.6 kg/m²
52
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
26.6 kg/m²
53
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
26.5 kg/m²
54
Estonia flag
Estonia
26.5 kg/m²
55
Italy flag
Italy
26.5 kg/m²
56
Latvia flag
Latvia
26.5 kg/m²
57
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
26.5 kg/m²
58
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
26.5 kg/m²
59
Albania flag
Albania
26.4 kg/m²
60
Belgium flag
Belgium
26.4 kg/m²
61
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
26.4 kg/m²
62
Finland flag
Finland
26.4 kg/m²
63
Libya flag
Libya
26.4 kg/m²
64
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
26.4 kg/m²
65
Sweden flag
Sweden
26.4 kg/m²
66
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
26.4 kg/m²
67
Austria flag
Austria
26.3 kg/m²
68
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
26.3 kg/m²
69
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
26.3 kg/m²
70
Portugal flag
Portugal
26.2 kg/m²
71
Serbia flag
Serbia
26.2 kg/m²
72
Denmark flag
Denmark
26.1 kg/m²
73
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
26.1 kg/m²
74
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
26.1 kg/m²
75
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
26.1 kg/m²
76
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
26.1 kg/m²
77
Belarus flag
Belarus
26 kg/m²
78
Fiji flag
Fiji
26 kg/m²
79
Romania flag
Romania
26 kg/m²
80
Barbados flag
Barbados
25.9 kg/m²
81
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
25.9 kg/m²
82
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
25.9 kg/m²
83
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
25.9 kg/m²
84
France flag
France
25.8 kg/m²
85
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
25.8 kg/m²
86
Oman flag
Oman
25.8 kg/m²
87
Panama flag
Panama
25.8 kg/m²
88
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
25.8 kg/m²
89
Haiti flag
Haiti
25.7 kg/m²
90
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
25.7 kg/m²
91
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
25.7 kg/m²
92
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
25.5 kg/m²
93
Brazil flag
Brazil
25.5 kg/m²
94
Peru flag
Peru
25.5 kg/m²
95
Russia flag
Russia
25.5 kg/m²
96
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
25.5 kg/m²
97
Honduras flag
Honduras
25.4 kg/m²
98
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
25.4 kg/m²
99
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
25.3 kg/m²
100
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
25.2 kg/m²
101
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
25.2 kg/m²
102
Armenia flag
Armenia
25.1 kg/m²
103
Colombia flag
Colombia
25.1 kg/m²
104
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
25.1 kg/m²
105
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
25.1 kg/m²
106
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
25.1 kg/m²
107
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
25.1 kg/m²
108
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
25 kg/m²
109
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
25 kg/m²
110
Suriname flag
Suriname
25 kg/m²
111
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
24.9 kg/m²
112
Iran flag
Iran
24.9 kg/m²
113
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
24.9 kg/m²
114
Morocco flag
Morocco
24.8 kg/m²
115
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
24.8 kg/m²
116
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
24.7 kg/m²
117
Cuba flag
Cuba
24.7 kg/m²
118
Grenada flag
Grenada
24.7 kg/m²
119
South Africa flag
South Africa
24.7 kg/m²
120
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
24.6 kg/m²
121
Dominica flag
Dominica
24.5 kg/m²
122
Guyana flag
Guyana
24.5 kg/m²
123
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
24.4 kg/m²
124
Algeria flag
Algeria
24.2 kg/m²
125
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
24 kg/m²
126
Singapore flag
Singapore
24 kg/m²
127
South Korea flag
South Korea
24 kg/m²
128
Gabon flag
Gabon
23.7 kg/m²
129
Maldives flag
Maldives
23.7 kg/m²
130
North Korea flag
North Korea
23.7 kg/m²
131
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
23.6 kg/m²
132
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
23.4 kg/m²
133
China flag
China
23.4 kg/m²
134
Japan flag
Japan
23.4 kg/m²
135
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
23.3 kg/m²
136
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
23.2 kg/m²
137
Liberia flag
Liberia
23.2 kg/m²
138
Thailand flag
Thailand
23.2 kg/m²
139
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
23.1 kg/m²
140
Yemen flag
Yemen
23.1 kg/m²
141
Comoros flag
Comoros
23 kg/m²
142
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
23 kg/m²
143
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
22.9 kg/m²
144
Gambia flag
Gambia
22.8 kg/m²
145
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
22.8 kg/m²
146
Ghana flag
Ghana
22.5 kg/m²
147
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
22.5 kg/m²
148
Mali flag
Mali
22.5 kg/m²
149
Namibia flag
Namibia
22.5 kg/m²
150
Philippines flag
Philippines
22.5 kg/m²
151
Benin flag
Benin
22.4 kg/m²
152
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
22.4 kg/m²
153
Botswana flag
Botswana
22.3 kg/m²
154
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
22.3 kg/m²
155
Togo flag
Togo
22.3 kg/m²
156
Guinea flag
Guinea
22.2 kg/m²
157
Malawi flag
Malawi
22.2 kg/m²
158
Somalia flag
Somalia
22.2 kg/m²
159
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
22.1 kg/m²
160
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
22.1 kg/m²
161
Congo flag
Congo
22 kg/m²
162
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
22 kg/m²
163
Laos flag
Laos
22 kg/m²
164
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
22 kg/m²
165
Angola flag
Angola
21.9 kg/m²
166
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
21.9 kg/m²
167
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
21.9 kg/m²
168
Kenya flag
Kenya
21.9 kg/m²
169
Nepal flag
Nepal
21.9 kg/m²
170
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
21.9 kg/m²
171
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
21.8 kg/m²
172
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
21.7 kg/m²
173
Chad flag
Chad
21.7 kg/m²
174
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
21.7 kg/m²
175
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
21.7 kg/m²
176
Senegal flag
Senegal
21.7 kg/m²
177
Burundi flag
Burundi
21.5 kg/m²
178
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
21.5 kg/m²
179
India flag
India
21.3 kg/m²
180
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
21.2 kg/m²
181
Niger flag
Niger
21.2 kg/m²
182
Uganda flag
Uganda
21.2 kg/m²
183
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
21 kg/m²
184
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
21 kg/m²
185
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
21 kg/m²
186
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
21 kg/m²
187
Zambia flag
Zambia
21 kg/m²
188
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
20.7 kg/m²
189
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
20.3 kg/m²
190
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
20 kg/m²

Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Nauru flagNauru
  2. #2Cook Islands flagCook Islands
  3. #3Niue flagNiue
  4. #4Tonga flagTonga
  5. #5Samoa flagSamoa
  6. #6Tuvalu flagTuvalu
  7. #7Palau flagPalau
  8. #8Kiribati flagKiribati
  9. #9United States flagUnited States
  10. #10Marshall Islands flagMarshall Islands

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #190Ethiopia flagEthiopia
  2. #189Eritrea flagEritrea
  3. #188Timor-Leste flagTimor-Leste
  4. #187Zambia flagZambia
  5. #186Vietnam flagVietnam
  6. #185Rwanda flagRwanda
  7. #184Congo, Democratic Republic of the flagCongo, Democratic Republic of the
  8. #183Bangladesh flagBangladesh
  9. #182Uganda flagUganda
  10. #181Niger flagNiger

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2010, the country with the highest Average BMI for Adults was Nauru with a BMI of 32.5 kg/m², while the global range spanned from a minimum of 20.00 kg/m² to this maximum. The global average BMI in 2010 was 25.04 kg/m², providing a snapshot of worldwide health trends and potential obesity issues.

Regional Disparities in Average BMI for Adults

The data on Average BMI for Adults in 2010 reveals significant regional disparities. Nauru leads with an average BMI of 32.5 kg/m², followed closely by other Pacific island nations such as the Cook Islands (32.2 kg/m²) and Niue (31 kg/m²). These elevated figures can be attributed to dietary patterns that are often high in calories and low in nutritional diversity, combined with limited physical activity.

In contrast, countries like Ethiopia and Eritrea reported some of the lowest average BMIs, with values of 20 kg/m² and 20.3 kg/m² respectively. These figures are indicative of regions where undernutrition and food insecurity remain significant challenges, affecting overall population health.

Socioeconomic Factors Influencing BMI

The socioeconomic landscape plays a crucial role in shaping the average BMI of a country. Developed countries such as the United States, with a BMI of 28.6 kg/m², often experience higher obesity rates due to factors including urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and the availability of high-calorie processed foods. Conversely, countries with lower economic development, such as Bangladesh and Zambia, both with a BMI of 21 kg/m², tend to have lower average BMIs. This can be linked to limited access to food, economic constraints, and a higher prevalence of physical labor.

Year-over-Year Trends and Changes

Analyzing year-over-year changes, the average global BMI increased by 0.07 kg/m², marking a 0.3% rise. Notable increases occurred in countries like Saint Lucia, Romania, and Peru, each experiencing a 0.20 kg/m² increase. These increments could be associated with shifts towards westernized diets and lifestyle changes that accompany economic development and urbanization.

In contrast, several countries including Nauru and Tonga showed no change in their average BMI, maintaining their high levels. This stagnation might suggest persistent lifestyle factors and dietary habits that have not been effectively addressed through policy or public health initiatives.

Policy Implications and Health Initiatives

These BMI trends underscore the necessity for tailored public health policies. In countries with high average BMIs like the United States and Palau (29.4 kg/m²), there is a pressing need for interventions promoting healthier diets and increased physical activity. Nutritional education and urban planning that encourages active transportation could be pivotal in reversing these trends.

Conversely, in countries with low BMIs such as Vietnam and Uganda (both 21 kg/m²), addressing malnutrition through improved food security and agricultural policies is crucial. Investments in healthcare infrastructure and nutritional programs could help bridge the gap between low BMI and optimal health outcomes.

Overall, understanding the factors that influence Average BMI for Adults in different countries provides valuable insights into global health challenges and the diverse policy approaches needed to address them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Average BMI for Adults in 2010

Which country had the highest average BMI for adults in 2010?

Nauru had the highest average BMI for adults in 2010, with a value of 32.5 kg/m².

What was the average BMI for adults across all countries in 2010?

The average BMI for adults across all countries in 2010 was 25.04 kg/m².

Which country had the lowest average BMI for adults in 2010?

Ethiopia had the lowest average BMI for adults in 2010, with a value of 20 kg/m².

What was the median BMI for adults in 2010?

The median BMI for adults in 2010 was 25.5 kg/m².

What is the BMI range between the highest and lowest countries in 2010?

The BMI range between the highest and lowest countries in 2010 was 12.5 kg/m², from Nauru at 32.5 kg/m² to Ethiopia at 20 kg/m².

Which countries were in the top 3 for average BMI in 2010?

The top 3 countries for average BMI in 2010 were Nauru with 32.5 kg/m², Cook Islands with 32.2 kg/m², and Niue with 31 kg/m².

Insights by country

1

Denmark

In 2010, Denmark had an average BMI for adults of 26.1 kg/m², ranking #72 out of 190 countries. This figure is higher than the average BMI in neighboring Sweden, which reflects differing dietary habits and lifestyle choices. Contributing factors to Denmark's BMI include a high standard of living and the widespread consumption of rich foods, alongside a strong emphasis on cycling and physical activity, which can influence overall health outcomes.

2

Haiti

In 2010, Haiti had an Average BMI for Adults of 25.7 kg/m², ranking #89 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a growing concern about nutrition in a country facing significant economic challenges. Factors such as limited access to healthcare, food insecurity, and a high prevalence of poverty contribute to the population's health and nutritional status.

3

France

In 2010, France had an Average BMI for Adults of 25.8 kg/m², ranking #84 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly above the European average, indicating a moderate prevalence of overweight adults compared to its neighbors. Contributing factors include France's rich culinary culture, which emphasizes high-calorie foods, and a lifestyle that may prioritize dining experiences over physical activity.

4

New Zealand

In 2010, New Zealand had an average BMI for adults of 27.8 kg/m², ranking #14 out of 190 countries. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating a significant prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population. Contributing factors include the country's lifestyle choices, such as high consumption of processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle, alongside socio-economic influences that affect dietary habits.

5

Laos

In 2010, Laos had an Average BMI for Adults of 22 kg/m², ranking #163 out of 190 countries. This figure is relatively moderate compared to neighboring countries like Thailand, which typically exhibits higher average BMI values. Contributing factors to this statistic include Laos's predominantly agrarian economy, which influences dietary habits, and a younger population demographic that may have lower obesity rates.

6

Greece

In 2010, Greece had an Average BMI for Adults of 27.3 kg/m², ranking #27 out of 190 countries. This figure is higher than the European regional average, reflecting lifestyle choices and dietary habits prevalent in Mediterranean cultures. Contributing factors include the traditional Greek diet, which is rich in olive oil and fresh produce, alongside increasing urbanization and sedentary lifestyles among the population.

7

Peru

In 2010, Peru had an Average BMI for Adults of 25.5 kg/m², ranking #94 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly above the regional average for South America, indicating a trend towards higher body mass indexes in the area. Contributing factors include urbanization, dietary changes towards more processed foods, and a growing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles among the population.

8

Lithuania

In 2010, Lithuania had an Average BMI for Adults of 26.6 kg/m², ranking #49 out of 190 countries. This figure is notably higher than the European average, indicating potential public health concerns. Contributing factors include a shift towards more sedentary lifestyles and dietary changes influenced by economic development and urbanization.

9

Vanuatu

In 2010, Vanuatu ranked #98 globally with an average BMI for adults of 25.4 kg/m². This figure is notably higher than that of many neighboring Pacific island nations, reflecting regional health challenges. Contributing factors include limited access to diverse food sources and increasing reliance on imported processed foods, which can lead to higher obesity rates.

10

Nicaragua

Nicaragua had an average BMI for adults of 26.1 kg/m² in 2010, ranking #74 out of 190 countries. This figure is higher than the average BMI in Central America, indicating a growing concern about obesity in the region.

Factors contributing to this statistic include economic challenges that limit access to healthy foods and a cultural shift towards more sedentary lifestyles, particularly in urban areas. Additionally, the country's agricultural practices and food security issues may influence dietary habits, further impacting average BMI 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 Source

Historical Data by Year

Explore Average BMI for Adults data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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