Amman: World Obesity Day, observed globally on March 4, coincides with Ramadan this year, creating what health officials describe as a timely opportunity to address concerning obesity trends across the kingdom. Recent health surveys reveal that 38.5% of Jordanian adults are clinically obese, with significantly higher rates among women (44.3%) compared to men (33%), according to World Health Organization estimates.
According to Jordan News Agency, the 2019 Stepwise Survey for Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors found 60.1% of Jordanians aged 18-69 are either obese or overweight, with women showing markedly higher rates (68.8%) than men (53.1%). “Non-communicable diseases now account for 78% of all deaths in Jordan,” the report noted, emphasizing obesity’s role in increasing risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disorders, and certain cancers. Medical experts also highlight potential impacts on mental health and fertility in both sexes.
Childhood obesity data shows troubling growth, with rates doubling from 4.4% to 8.8% among children under five between 2012-2023. The 5-9 age group recorded a 20.5% obesity rate in 2023, while the 6-12 age group registered 11.8% obesity and 16% overweight rates according to the 2019 Jordan Micronutrient and Nutrition Survey.
Jordan’s 2023 Population and Family Health Survey identified significant demographic patterns in female obesity. The survey found 35.4% of married women aged 15-19 are obese or overweight, with rates climbing to 64.1% among those aged 20-49, and reaching 83.6% for women aged 40-49. Jerash Governorate recorded the highest regional obesity rate (72%) among women. The survey also found higher rates among Syrian refugee women (69.4%) and those with below-secondary education (72.6%).
Health authorities are calling for multi-sectoral interventions including taxation of unhealthy foods, stricter school canteen regulations, trans fat prohibition, breastfeeding support, and controls on weight-loss medications. The obesity crisis comes as Jordan works to meet its sustainable development commitments, particularly SDG 3’s target of reducing premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030. World Obesity Day aims to highlight the risks associated with obesity and the necessity of adopting healthy lifestyles. Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms by height in meters squared, defines obesity as a score of 30 or higher, while 25-29 signifies overweight.