Global Obesity Observatory
A data platform tracking the world's obesity crisis.
The Global Obesity Observatory is an online, interactive database hosted by the World Obesity Federation that provides comprehensive information about obesity prevalence and epidemiology worldwide. For over 20 years, the World Obesity Federation has been collating country-specific data to create this freely accessible resource that serves researchers, policymakers, and public health professionals around the globe.
Mission and purpose
The Observatory serves as a critical tool for policymakers with the potential to substantially shape and inform decision-making on obesity prevention and management strategies. As obesity has evolved from a problem primarily affecting high-income countries to a global health challenge, the need for reliable, accessible data has become increasingly urgent. The platform addresses this need by providing evidence-based information that helps countries develop effective public health interventions.
Features and capabilities
The Observatory offers a robust suite of interactive tools and data visualization options. An interactive map displays measured obesity prevalence by country with breakdowns by age, socioeconomic group, education, region, and ethnicity. The platform also tracks drivers of obesity such as fruit consumption and physical activity levels, as well as common comorbidities including diabetes and obesity-related cancers.
Users can access all available data for a specific country or region in one centralized location, with the ability to download comprehensive report cards. The platform features customizable data tables for both adults and children, allowing users to view prevalence data in various formats globally or regionally, all downloadable as PDFs.
A unique feature is the personal account system, which enables users to save favorite graphs, create customized tables, and personalize their own PDFs. The Chartbuilder tool allows users to create personalized charts that are saved to their accounts for future reference.
Data scope and coverage
The Observatory provides extensive coverage across multiple dimensions of the obesity epidemic. In recent updates, the platform has expanded data for over 50 countries including Algeria, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and all European Union member states and the United Kingdom.
Beyond prevalence statistics, the database includes information on economic impact, global and regional atlases, and policy dossiers. The platform presents data through multiple formats including flat presentation maps showing obesity trends across different decades and interactive global rankings of estimated obesity prevalence.
Development and support
The development of the Observatory was supported by the OBTAINS-E2 (Obesity Training And Information Services in Europe) project, which received funding under the European Union's 3rd Health Programme (2014-2020). This support enabled not only the creation of the database but also facilitated access to weight management services and contributed to EU priorities on disease prevention and healthy lifestyles.
The platform has received additional funding to translate its graphics into all official European Union languages, making the data more accessible to diverse audiences across Europe.
Impact and reach
The Observatory has become an essential resource in addressing what is now recognized as one of the most important public health problems facing the world today. With global obesity rates having more than tripled between 1975 and 2022, and more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, the need for comprehensive data tracking has never been greater.
The World Obesity Federation's data team continuously updates the Observatory and welcomes feedback from members and the broader public health community. The platform remains committed to expanding its coverage and incorporating new data sources as they become available, ensuring that policymakers and health professionals have access to the most current and comprehensive information possible.
Accessibility
The Global Obesity Observatory is freely available to all users at data.worldobesity.org, reflecting the World Obesity Federation's commitment to making critical public health data accessible worldwide. This open-access approach ensures that researchers, policymakers, and health professionals in all countries, regardless of resource levels, can access the information needed to address the obesity epidemic in their communities.
