Overweight in children in South Africa in 2017 — 11.8%. Ranked 28 in the world out of 31. Since 1994, the indicator has risen by 1.5 pp.
1994–2017 · % of children under 5
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 11.8 | −1.5 pp |
| 2016 | 13.3 | +0 pp |
| 2015 | 13.3 | — |
| 2008 | 13 | — |
| 1999 | 10.4 | — |
| 1994 | 10.3 | — |
The share of children under five whose weight exceeds the WHO norm for their height by more than two standard deviations. The indicator matters in that it grows at the same time as stunting in the very same countries: a diet of cheap calories produces both the one and the other, and this is the core of the notion of the double burden of malnutrition. Overweight in children used to be considered a problem of rich countries — now it is growing fastest in middle-income countries.
Important: The data come from sample surveys, the years are intermittent. The aggregate by group is weighted by the number of children aged 0–14.
Source: Global Health Observatory (WHO), license CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
The share of adults with a body mass index of 30 and above. The WHO series runs from 1980.
Nutrition Stunting in childrenThe share of children under five whose height is markedly below the norm for their age.
Nutrition Underweight childrenThe share of children under 5 whose weight is insufficient for their age.
Nutrition Tobacco use prevalenceThe share of adults who use tobacco in any form.
Nutrition Access to clean waterThe share of the population with access to basic sources of drinking water.
Nutrition Access to basic sanitationThe share of the population with access to improved sanitation and hygiene conditions.
