Average BMI for Adults 2011

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
32.4 kg/m²
2
Cook Islands flag
Cook Islands
32.3 kg/m²
3
Niue flag
Niue
31.1 kg/m²
4
Tonga flag
Tonga
30.3 kg/m²
5
Samoa flag
Samoa
29.9 kg/m²
6
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
29.7 kg/m²
7
Palau flag
Palau
29.4 kg/m²
8
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
28.7 kg/m²
9
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
28.6 kg/m²
10
United States flag
United States
28.6 kg/m²
11
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
28.5 kg/m²
12
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
28.5 kg/m²
13
Qatar flag
Qatar
28.3 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
Jordan flag
Jordan
27.7 kg/m²
17
Malta flag
Malta
27.7 kg/m²
18
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
27.6 kg/m²
19
Hungary flag
Hungary
27.6 kg/m²
20
Ireland flag
Ireland
27.6 kg/m²
21
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
27.6 kg/m²
22
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
27.6 kg/m²
23
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
27.6 kg/m²
24
Australia flag
Australia
27.4 kg/m²
25
Croatia flag
Croatia
27.4 kg/m²
26
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
27.4 kg/m²
27
Greece flag
Greece
27.4 kg/m²
28
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
27.4 kg/m²
29
Andorra flag
Andorra
27.3 kg/m²
30
Argentina flag
Argentina
27.3 kg/m²
31
Chile flag
Chile
27.3 kg/m²
32
Egypt flag
Egypt
27.3 kg/m²
33
Canada flag
Canada
27.2 kg/m²
34
Iraq flag
Iraq
27.2 kg/m²
35
Israel flag
Israel
27.2 kg/m²
36
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
27.2 kg/m²
37
Belize flag
Belize
27.1 kg/m²
38
Germany flag
Germany
27.1 kg/m²
39
Mexico flag
Mexico
27.1 kg/m²
40
Norway flag
Norway
27 kg/m²
41
Spain flag
Spain
27 kg/m²
42
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
26.9 kg/m²
43
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
26.9 kg/m²
44
Georgia flag
Georgia
26.8 kg/m²
45
Iceland flag
Iceland
26.8 kg/m²
46
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
26.8 kg/m²
47
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
26.8 kg/m²
48
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
26.7 kg/m²
49
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
26.7 kg/m²
50
Poland flag
Poland
26.7 kg/m²
51
Turkey flag
Turkey
26.7 kg/m²
52
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
26.7 kg/m²
53
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
26.6 kg/m²
54
Estonia flag
Estonia
26.6 kg/m²
55
Latvia flag
Latvia
26.6 kg/m²
56
Albania flag
Albania
26.5 kg/m²
57
Belgium flag
Belgium
26.5 kg/m²
58
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
26.5 kg/m²
59
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
26.5 kg/m²
60
Italy flag
Italy
26.5 kg/m²
61
Libya flag
Libya
26.5 kg/m²
62
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
26.5 kg/m²
63
Sweden flag
Sweden
26.5 kg/m²
64
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
26.5 kg/m²
65
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
26.5 kg/m²
66
Austria flag
Austria
26.4 kg/m²
67
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
26.4 kg/m²
68
Finland flag
Finland
26.4 kg/m²
69
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
26.4 kg/m²
70
Serbia flag
Serbia
26.3 kg/m²
71
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
26.2 kg/m²
72
Portugal flag
Portugal
26.2 kg/m²
73
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
26.2 kg/m²
74
Belarus flag
Belarus
26.1 kg/m²
75
Denmark flag
Denmark
26.1 kg/m²
76
Fiji flag
Fiji
26.1 kg/m²
77
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
26.1 kg/m²
78
Romania flag
Romania
26.1 kg/m²
79
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
26.1 kg/m²
80
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
26 kg/m²
81
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
26 kg/m²
82
Barbados flag
Barbados
25.9 kg/m²
83
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
25.9 kg/m²
84
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
25.9 kg/m²
85
Oman flag
Oman
25.9 kg/m²
86
Panama flag
Panama
25.9 kg/m²
87
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
25.9 kg/m²
88
France flag
France
25.8 kg/m²
89
Haiti flag
Haiti
25.8 kg/m²
90
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
25.8 kg/m²
91
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
25.8 kg/m²
92
Brazil flag
Brazil
25.7 kg/m²
93
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
25.7 kg/m²
94
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
25.6 kg/m²
95
Peru flag
Peru
25.6 kg/m²
96
Russia flag
Russia
25.6 kg/m²
97
Honduras flag
Honduras
25.5 kg/m²
98
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
25.4 kg/m²
99
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
25.4 kg/m²
100
Colombia flag
Colombia
25.3 kg/m²
101
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
25.3 kg/m²
102
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
25.3 kg/m²
103
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
25.2 kg/m²
104
Armenia flag
Armenia
25.2 kg/m²
105
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
25.2 kg/m²
106
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
25.2 kg/m²
107
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
25.2 kg/m²
108
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
25.1 kg/m²
109
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
25.1 kg/m²
110
Suriname flag
Suriname
25.1 kg/m²
111
Iran flag
Iran
25 kg/m²
112
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
25 kg/m²
113
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
24.9 kg/m²
114
Morocco flag
Morocco
24.9 kg/m²
115
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
24.9 kg/m²
116
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
24.8 kg/m²
117
Cuba flag
Cuba
24.8 kg/m²
118
Grenada flag
Grenada
24.8 kg/m²
119
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
24.8 kg/m²
120
South Africa flag
South Africa
24.8 kg/m²
121
Guyana flag
Guyana
24.6 kg/m²
122
Dominica flag
Dominica
24.5 kg/m²
123
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
24.4 kg/m²
124
Algeria flag
Algeria
24.3 kg/m²
125
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
24.1 kg/m²
126
South Korea flag
South Korea
24.1 kg/m²
127
Singapore flag
Singapore
24 kg/m²
128
Maldives flag
Maldives
23.9 kg/m²
129
Gabon flag
Gabon
23.7 kg/m²
130
North Korea flag
North Korea
23.7 kg/m²
131
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
23.7 kg/m²
132
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
23.5 kg/m²
133
China flag
China
23.5 kg/m²
134
Japan flag
Japan
23.5 kg/m²
135
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
23.4 kg/m²
136
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
23.3 kg/m²
137
Thailand flag
Thailand
23.3 kg/m²
138
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
23.2 kg/m²
139
Liberia flag
Liberia
23.2 kg/m²
140
Yemen flag
Yemen
23.2 kg/m²
141
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
23.1 kg/m²
142
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
23 kg/m²
143
Comoros flag
Comoros
23 kg/m²
144
Gambia flag
Gambia
22.9 kg/m²
145
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
22.9 kg/m²
146
Mali flag
Mali
22.6 kg/m²
147
Ghana flag
Ghana
22.5 kg/m²
148
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
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
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
22.4 kg/m²
153
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
22.4 kg/m²
154
Botswana flag
Botswana
22.3 kg/m²
155
Malawi flag
Malawi
22.3 kg/m²
156
Togo flag
Togo
22.3 kg/m²
157
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
22.2 kg/m²
158
Guinea flag
Guinea
22.2 kg/m²
159
Somalia flag
Somalia
22.2 kg/m²
160
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
22.2 kg/m²
161
Laos flag
Laos
22.1 kg/m²
162
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
22.1 kg/m²
163
Angola flag
Angola
22 kg/m²
164
Congo flag
Congo
22 kg/m²
165
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
22 kg/m²
166
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
22 kg/m²
167
Nepal flag
Nepal
22 kg/m²
168
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
22 kg/m²
169
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
21.9 kg/m²
170
Kenya flag
Kenya
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
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
21.6 kg/m²
178
Burundi flag
Burundi
21.5 kg/m²
179
India flag
India
21.4 kg/m²
180
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
21.3 kg/m²
181
Niger flag
Niger
21.2 kg/m²
182
Uganda flag
Uganda
21.2 kg/m²
183
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
21.1 kg/m²
184
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
21.1 kg/m²
185
Zambia flag
Zambia
21.1 kg/m²
186
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
21 kg/m²
187
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
21 kg/m²
188
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
20.8 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. #9Marshall Islands flagMarshall Islands
  10. #10United States flagUnited States

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. #187Congo, Democratic Republic of the flagCongo, Democratic Republic of the
  5. #186Bangladesh flagBangladesh
  6. #185Zambia flagZambia
  7. #184Vietnam flagVietnam
  8. #183Rwanda flagRwanda
  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 2011, the country with the highest Average BMI for Adults was Nauru with a BMI of 32.4 kg/m², while the global range spanned from 20.00 kg/m² to 32.40 kg/m². The global average BMI was 25.11 kg/m², providing a snapshot of global health trends and potential obesity issues.

Regional Disparities in Average BMI for Adults

The data from 2011 reveals significant regional disparities in Average BMI for Adults. Island nations in the Pacific, such as Nauru (32.4 kg/m²), Cook Islands (32.3 kg/m²), and Niue (31.1 kg/m²), top the list with the highest average BMIs. This pattern is often attributed to dietary shifts from traditional foods to more processed and high-calorie diets, compounded by limited opportunities for physical activity due to geographic constraints.

In contrast, countries in East Africa and Southeast Asia, such as Ethiopia (20 kg/m²) and Vietnam (21.1 kg/m²), report the lowest average BMIs. These figures reflect broader trends of lower caloric intake and higher levels of physical activity, driven by agricultural economies and less urbanization compared to their Western counterparts.

Economic Influence on BMI

The economic status of a country plays a crucial role in determining its average BMI. Developed nations like the United States (28.6 kg/m²) exhibit higher BMIs, often linked to greater availability of high-calorie foods and sedentary lifestyles. Conversely, less developed countries with lower BMIs, such as Eritrea (20.3 kg/m²) and Bangladesh (21 kg/m²), often face issues of food scarcity and undernutrition, which contribute to their lower BMI figures.

Interestingly, some small island developing states, despite their lower economic status, have high average BMIs. This anomaly is frequently explained by the importation of energy-dense foods that are more affordable and accessible than healthier options.

Impact of Urbanization on BMI Trends

Urbanization is another significant factor influencing BMI trends. Countries with rapid urban expansion often experience lifestyle changes that lead to higher BMIs. For example, Brunei Darussalam experienced a notable increase in BMI by 0.20 kg/m² or 0.8%, highlighting the impact of urban living on dietary habits and physical activity levels.

On the other hand, nations with slower urbanization rates, such as Rwanda (21.1 kg/m²), maintain lower BMI averages. These countries often retain traditional lifestyles with diets rich in natural, less processed foods and higher physical activity levels due to agricultural work.

Year-over-Year Changes and Their Implications

The year-over-year changes in BMI from 2010 to 2011 reveal subtle shifts in global health dynamics. The average increase in BMI was 0.07 kg/m² or 0.3%, with Saint Lucia showing the largest increase at 0.30 kg/m² or 1.1%. This increase is indicative of a growing trend towards higher BMI levels, possibly driven by lifestyle and dietary changes.

Conversely, Nauru saw a slight decrease of 0.10 kg/m², suggesting potential interventions or public health measures aiming to curb obesity rates. Stability in countries like Tonga and Samoa reflects ongoing challenges in altering entrenched dietary patterns and lifestyle habits.

These analyses underscore the complex interplay of economic, geographic, and societal factors influencing Average BMI for Adults globally. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for policymakers aiming to address obesity and related health issues effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions About Average BMI for Adults in 2011

Which country had the highest average BMI for adults in 2011?

Nauru had the highest average BMI for adults in 2011, with a value of 32.4 kg/m².

What was the lowest average BMI for adults by country in 2011?

Ethiopia had the lowest average BMI for adults in 2011, with a value of 20 kg/m².

What was the average BMI for adults across all countries in 2011?

The average BMI for adults across all countries in 2011 was 25.11 kg/m².

What was the median BMI for adults by country in 2011?

The median BMI for adults by country in 2011 was 25.6 kg/m².

Which countries were in the top 10 for highest average BMI for adults in 2011?

The top 10 countries with the highest average BMI for adults in 2011 were Nauru, Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Palau, Kiribati, United States, and Marshall Islands.

How many countries were included in the dataset for average BMI for adults in 2011?

The dataset for average BMI for adults in 2011 included 190 countries.

Insights by country

1

Guyana

In 2011, Guyana had an Average BMI for Adults of 24.6 kg/m², ranking #121 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a moderate prevalence of overweight and obesity in the adult population. Contributing factors include the country's reliance on imported foods, which often contain high levels of sugar and fats, alongside lifestyle changes influenced by urbanization.

2

Micronesia (Fed. States of)

In 2011, Micronesia (Fed. States of) achieved a global rank of #15 with an average BMI for adults of 27.8 kg/m². This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating significant health challenges within the population. Contributing factors include a reliance on imported processed foods and limited access to health education, which exacerbate obesity rates in this island nation.

3

Romania

In 2011, Romania had an average BMI for adults of 26.1 kg/m², ranking #78 out of 190 countries. This figure is higher than the global average, indicating a trend of increasing overweight and obesity levels in the region. Contributing factors include urbanization, dietary changes towards more processed foods, and a sedentary lifestyle prevalent among the population.

4

Venezuela

In 2011, Venezuela had an Average BMI for Adults of 26.5 kg/m², ranking #65 out of 190 countries. This figure is above the global average, indicating a higher prevalence of overweight individuals compared to many nations. Contributing factors include economic instability and food scarcity, which have influenced dietary habits and access to nutrition in the country.

5

Timor-Leste

In 2011, Timor-Leste had an Average BMI for Adults of 20.8 kg/m², ranking #188 out of 190 countries. This figure is lower than many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, reflecting challenges in nutrition and health access. Contributing factors include a young population with limited resources for healthcare and ongoing economic development issues that affect food security and dietary habits.

6

Dominica

In 2011, Dominica had an Average BMI for Adults of 24.5 kg/m², ranking #122 out of 190 countries. This figure is relatively close to the global average, indicating a moderate level of adult weight among its population.

The country's BMI is influenced by its agricultural economy, which promotes the consumption of locally grown foods, and its emphasis on outdoor activities due to its mountainous terrain. Additionally, Dominica's healthcare policies focus on nutrition and physical well-being, contributing to this average BMI level.

7

Benin

In 2011, Benin had an Average BMI for Adults of 22.4 kg/m², ranking #151 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly below the regional average for West Africa, indicating a relatively moderate level of adult obesity compared to some neighbors. Factors contributing to this BMI include a predominantly agricultural economy, which influences dietary habits and access to diverse nutrition, as well as ongoing public health initiatives aimed at addressing malnutrition and promoting healthier lifestyles.

8

Madagascar

In 2011, Madagascar ranked #180 globally with an average BMI for adults of 21.3 kg/m². This figure is lower than the global average, reflecting the challenges faced by the nation compared to healthier populations. Contributing factors include economic constraints, which limit access to diverse and nutritious food, alongside a high prevalence of infectious diseases that impact overall health and nutritional status.

9

Iraq

In 2011, Iraq had an average BMI for adults of 27.2 kg/m², ranking #34 out of 190 countries. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating a trend towards overweight and obesity in the region. Contributing factors include urbanization, dietary changes, and socioeconomic challenges that affect lifestyle choices and food availability.

10

Argentina

In 2011, Argentina had an Average BMI for Adults of 27.3 kg/m², ranking #30 out of 190 countries. This figure is notably higher than the regional average for South America, indicating a trend of increasing obesity rates. Contributing factors include a diet rich in beef and processed foods, along with urbanization that promotes sedentary lifestyles.

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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