Report cardPakistan

1

Contents Page  

Obesity prevalence 2

Trend: % Adults living with obesity, 2012-2018 4

Trend: % Adults living with obesity, 2012-2018 5

Overweight/obesity by education 6

Overweight/obesity by age 9

Overweight/obesity by region 10

Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group 13

Insufficient physical activity 16

Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption 22

Estimated per capita fruit intake 23

Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption 24

Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption 25

Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption 26

Estimated per-capita processed meat intake 27

Estimated per capita whole grains intake 28

Mental health - depression disorders 29

Mental health - anxiety disorders 30

% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months 31

Oesophageal cancer 32

Breast cancer 34

Colorectal cancer 35

Pancreatic cancer 37

Gallbladder cancer 39

Kidney cancer 41

Cancer of the uterus 43

Raised blood pressure 44

Raised cholesterol 47

Raised fasting blood glucose 50

Diabetes prevalence 52

Health systems 53

Obesity prevalence

Women, 2018

 

Women0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 15-49

Sample size: 123092

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: Nutritional status of non-pregnant women of reproductive age

Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

2

Children, 2018

 

Children Boys Girls0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 10-19

Sample size: 103618

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018 https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S

(Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: BMI-for-age cut-offs also available NB. Combined child data estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting

male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female 2019 (

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 21.10.20)'

Cutoffs: WHO

3

% Adults living with obesity, 2012-2018 

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 20180

10

20

30

40

50

Obesity, Women Overweight or obesity, Women

% o

verw

eigh

t or o

besi

ty

Survey type: Measured

References: 2012: DHS Pakistann 2012/2013

2017: DHS Pakistan 2018. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR354/FR354.pdf

2018: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please

check with original data sources for methodologies used.

4

% Adults living with obesity, 2012-2018 

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 20180

5

10

15

20

Obesity, Women

Survey type: Measured

References: 2012: DHS Pakistann 2012/2013

2017: DHS Pakistan 2018. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR354/FR354.pdf

2018: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please

check with original data sources for methodologies used.

5

Overweight/obesity by education

Women, 2018

 

None Primary Middle Secondary Higher0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 15-49

Sample size: 123092

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: Non-pregnant women

Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

6

Boys, 2018

 

None Primary Middle Secondary Higher0

5

10

15

20

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 10-19

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: BMI-for-age cut-offs also available

Cutoffs: WHO

7

Girls, 2018

 

None Primary Middle Secondary Higher0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 10-19

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: BMI-for-age cut-offs also available

Cutoffs: WHO

8

Overweight/obesity by age

Women, 2018

 

Age 15-19 Age 15-49 Age 20-24 Age 25-29 Age 30-34 Age 35-39 Age 40-44 Age 45-490

10

20

30

40

50

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Sample size: 123092

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: Nutritional status of non-pregnant women of reproductive age

Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

9

Overweight/obesity by region

Women, 2018

 

Rural Urban0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 15-49

Sample size: 123092

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: Nutritional status of non-pregnant women of reproductive age

Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

10

Boys, 2018

 

Rural Urban0

5

10

15

20

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 10-19

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: BMI-for-age cut-offs also available

Cutoffs: WHO

11

Girls, 2018

 

Rural Urban0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 10-19

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: BMI-for-age cut-offs also available

Cutoffs: WHO

12

Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group

Women, 2018

 

Poorest Second Middle Fourth Richest0

10

20

30

40

50

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 15-49

Sample size: 123092

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: Non-pregnant women

Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

13

Boys, 2018

 

Poorest Second Middle Fourth Richest0

5

10

15

20

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 10-19

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: BMI-for-age cut-offs also available

Cutoffs: WHO

14

Girls, 2018

 

Poorest Second Middle Fourth Richest0

5

10

15

20

Obesity Overweight

%

Survey type: Measured

Age: 10-19

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2826/file/National%20Nutrition%20S (Accessed 03.11.20)

Notes: BMI-for-age cut-offs also available

Cutoffs: WHO

15

Insufficient physical activity

Adults, 2016

 

Jordan Morocco Tunisia Egypt Oman Iran Pakistan Lebanon Libya Qatar UAE Iraq Saudi Arabia Kuwait0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

% in

suffi

cien

t phy

sica

l act

ivity

References: Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled

analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-

109X(18)30357-7

16

Men, 2016

 

JordanMorocco

Iran EgyptPakistan

TunisiaOman

LibyaQatar

UAEIraq Lebanon

Saudi Arabia

Kuwait

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

% in

suffi

cien

t phy

sica

l act

ivity

References: Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled

analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-

109X(18)30357-7

17

Women, 2016

 

Jordan Morocco Lebanon Tunisia Egypt Oman Libya Pakistan Iran Qatar UAE Iraq Saudi Arabia Kuwait0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

% in

suffi

cien

t phy

sica

l act

ivity

References: Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled

analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-

109X(18)30357-7

18

Children, 2016

 

BahrainTunisia

UAELebanon

LibyaOman

KuwaitJordan

Iraq DjiboutiYemen

PakistanMorocco

EgyptSyria

Afghanistan

QatarSudan

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

% in

suffi

cien

t phy

sica

l act

ivity

Survey type: Self-reported

Age: 11-17

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)

Notes: % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less

than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.

Definitions: % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

19

Boys, 2016

 

TunisiaBahrain

LebanonUAE

LibyaOman

KuwaitIraq Djibouti

JordanEgypt

YemenSyria

MoroccoPakistan

QatarAfghanistan

Sudan

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

% in

suffi

cien

t phy

sica

l act

ivity

Survey type: Self-reported

Age: 11-17

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)

Notes: % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less

than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.

Definitions: % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

20

Girls, 2016

 

UAEBahrain

Afghanistan

LebanonJordan

TunisiaLibya

PakistanDjibouti

YemenOman

KuwaitMorocco

Iraq QatarSudan

SyriaEgypt

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

% in

suffi

cien

t phy

sica

l act

ivity

Survey type: Self-reported

Age: 11-17

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)

Notes: % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less

than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.

Definitions: % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

21

Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption

Children, 2009-2015

 

Pakistan Syria Sudan Afghanistan Egypt Iraq Oman Palestine UAE Morocco Kuwait Lebanon Qatar0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

Tim

es p

er d

ay

Survey type: Measured

Age: 12-17

References: Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A

meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard

http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system

22

Estimated per capita fruit intake

Adults, 2017

 

DjiboutiSomalia

Afghanistan

PakistanIraq Yemen

South Sudan

SudanPalestine

SyriaJordan

LibyaKuwait

Saudi Arabia

TunisiaUAE

LebanonEgypt

MoroccoBahrain

Iran QatarOman

0

50

100

150

200

250

g/da

y

Survey type: Measured

Age: 25+

References: Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/

Definitions: Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day)

23

Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption

Children, 2008-2015

 

TunisiaEgypt

LebanonMorocco

OmanPalestine

Iraq PakistanSyria

QatarAfghanistan

KuwaitSudan

YemenUAE

0

10

20

30

40

50

% <

dai

ly c

onsu

mpt

ion

Survey type: Measured

Age: 12-17

References: Global School-based Student Health Surveys. Beal et al (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable,

Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food

and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287. Sourced from Food Systems Dashboard

http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system

Definitions: Prevalence of less-than-daily fruit consumption (% less-than-daily fruit consumption)

24

Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption

Children, 2008-2015

 

Pakistan Morocco Lebanon Tunisia Iraq Egypt Oman Palestine Sudan Kuwait Syria Afghanistan Qatar UAE Yemen0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

% <

dai

ly c

onsu

mpt

ion

Survey type: Measured

Age: 12-17

References: Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A

meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard

http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system

Definitions: Prevalence of less-than-daily vegetable consumption (% less-than-daily vegetable consumption)

25

Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption

Children, 2009-2015

 

Pakistan Syria Sudan Morocco Egypt Oman Palestine Iraq Lebanon Afghanistan UAE Kuwait Qatar0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

Tim

es p

er w

eek

Age: 12-17

References: Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A

meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard

http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system

26

Estimated per-capita processed meat intake

Adults, 2017

 

Afghanistan

YemenSomalia

Palestine

SudanSyria

JordanLibya

TunisiaMorocco

Iraq LebanonIran South Sudan

Saudi Arabia

DjiboutiEgypt

PakistanOman

BahrainUAE

KuwaitQatar

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

g/da

y

Survey type: Measured

Age: 25+

References: Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/

Definitions: Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day)

27

Estimated per capita whole grains intake

Adults, 2017

 

MoroccoLebanon

Afghanistan

Iran YemenJordan

PakistanSudan

SyriaTunisia

LibyaPalestine

BahrainIraq Qatar

UAEDjibouti

Saudi Arabia

KuwaitSomalia

OmanEgypt

South Sudan

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

g/da

y

Survey type: Measured

Age: 25+

References: Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/

Definitions: Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day)

28

Mental health - depression disorders

Adults, 2015

 

Afghanistan

EgyptSudan

YemenIraq Syria

JordanSomalia

PakistanSouth Sudan

LibyaMorocco

Saudi Arabia

LebanonOman

BahrainIran Tunisia

KuwaitDjibouti

QatarUAE

0

1

2

3

4

5

% o

f pop

ulat

ion

References: Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and

Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-

NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Definitions: % of population with depression disorders

29

Mental health - anxiety disorders

Adults, 2015

 

SomaliaSouth Sudan

DjiboutiPakistan

Afghanistan

OmanSudan

UAEYemen

EgyptQatar

BahrainJordan

Saudi Arabia

SyriaIraq Libya

MoroccoIran Kuwait

TunisiaLebanon

0

1

2

3

4

5

% o

f pop

ulat

ion

References: Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and

Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-

NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Definitions: % of population with anxiety disorders

30

% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months

Children, 2010-2019

 

YemenDjibouti

TunisiaOman

JordanIraq Syria

QatarSomalia

MoroccoEgypt

South Sudan

PakistanIran Sudan

Afghanistan

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

%

Area covered: National

References: Pakistan 2018 National Nutrition Survey

Notes: See UNICEF website for further survey information. Available at : https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/infant-young-

child-feeding/ (last accessed 28.9.21) Citation: United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and

Monitoring (2021). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding, New York,

September 2021.

Definitions: % exclusively breastfed 0-5 months

31

Oesophageal cancer

Men, 2018

 

LebanonPalestine

Iraq OmanSyria

TunisiaJordan

BahrainQatar

Saudi Arabia

LibyaMorocco

UAEEgypt

KuwaitDjibouti

SudanYemen

PakistanIran Somalia

South Sudan

Afghanistan

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

32

Women, 2018

 

LibyaPalestine

LebanonSyria

TunisiaIraq Jordan

MoroccoEgypt

Saudi Arabia

BahrainUAE

KuwaitOman

QatarDjibouti

PakistanSudan

Iran South Sudan

YemenAfghanistan

Somalia

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

33

Breast cancer

Women, 2018

 

LibyaYemen

Saudi Arabia

Afghanistan

Iran TunisiaSouth Sudan

OmanIraq Sudan

DjiboutiSomalia

QatarPakistan

BahrainMorocco

EgyptUAE

KuwaitPalestine

JordanSyria

Lebanon

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

34

Colorectal cancer

Men, 2018

 

PakistanAfghanistan

DjiboutiSudan

EgyptIraq South Sudan

SomaliaYemen

OmanMorocco

KuwaitLibya

TunisiaQatar

BahrainSyria

Iran UAEJordan

Saudi Arabia

LebanonPalestine

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

35

Women, 2018

 

Afghanistan

PakistanSudan

Iraq DjiboutiEgypt

South Sudan

SomaliaYemen

OmanMorocco

Saudi Arabia

TunisiaIran Bahrain

LibyaUAE

QatarKuwait

SyriaPalestine

JordanLebanon

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

36

Pancreatic cancer

Men, 2018

 

DjiboutiSudan

PakistanSomalia

Afghanistan

QatarSouth Sudan

UAEYemen

Saudi Arabia

MoroccoIraq Tunisia

KuwaitIran Oman

BahrainSyria

Palestine

LebanonEgypt

JordanLibya

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

37

Women, 2018

 

PakistanDjibouti

Afghanistan

SudanSaudi Arabia

SomaliaMorocco

TunisiaSouth Sudan

Iraq YemenOman

JordanSyria

Iran EgyptLebanon

BahrainPalestine

LibyaQatar

KuwaitUAE

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

38

Gallbladder cancer

Men, 2018

 

DjiboutiYemen

SudanSouth Sudan

SomaliaAfghanistan

MoroccoIraq Egypt

Iran BahrainSaudi Arabia

PakistanLebanon

LibyaSyria

KuwaitTunisia

Palestine

QatarJordan

OmanUAE

0

1

2

3

4

5

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

39

Women, 2018

 

YemenDjibouti

EgyptIran Oman

South Sudan

SudanSaudi Arabia

SomaliaBahrain

MoroccoAfghanistan

Iraq KuwaitPalestine

LebanonSyria

TunisiaJordan

QatarPakistan

LibyaUAE

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

40

Kidney cancer

Men, 2018

 

YemenSouth Sudan

DjiboutiSomalia

SudanPakistan

Afghanistan

MoroccoBahrain

OmanQatar

TunisiaIraq Kuwait

EgyptIran Saudi Arabia

UAEJordan

SyriaLibya

Palestine

Lebanon

0

2

4

6

8

10

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000

41

Women, 2018

 

YemenSouth Sudan

BahrainMorocco

SudanPakistan

Afghanistan

SomaliaDjibouti

EgyptIraq Oman

KuwaitTunisia

LibyaIran Syria

Saudi Arabia

JordanLebanon

Palestine

QatarUAE

0

1

2

3

4

5

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000

42

Cancer of the uterus

Women, 2018

 

YemenIraq Egypt

Iran Palestine

Saudi Arabia

JordanKuwait

SyriaBahrain

QatarTunisia

LebanonOman

UAEAfghanistan

PakistanSudan

LibyaDjibouti

MoroccoSomalia

South Sudan

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Inci

denc

e pe

r 100

,000

Age: 20+

References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)

Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per

100,000

43

Raised blood pressure

Adults, 2015

 

Iran LebanonJordan

UAEBahrain

QatarTunisia

Saudi Arabia

KuwaitLibya

SyriaOman

EgyptIraq Morocco

DjiboutiPakistan

Afghanistan

YemenSomalia

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

% ra

ised

blo

od p

ress

ure

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en

Definitions: Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).

44

Men, 2015

 

Iran UAEBahrain

QatarJordan

LebanonTunisia

Saudi Arabia

EgyptSyria

LibyaKuwait

Iraq OmanMorocco

DjiboutiYemen

Afghanistan

PakistanSomalia

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

% ra

ised

blo

od p

ress

ure

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en

Definitions: Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).

45

Women, 2015

 

LebanonUAE

JordanIran Bahrain

QatarKuwait

Saudi Arabia

LibyaOman

TunisiaSyria

Iraq EgyptDjibouti

MoroccoPakistan

Afghanistan

YemenSomalia

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

% ra

ised

blo

od p

ress

ure

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en

Definitions: Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).

46

Raised cholesterol

Adults, 2008

 

Afghanistan

SomaliaPakistan

YemenSudan

LibyaDjibouti

MoroccoSaudi Arabia

EgyptSyria

TunisiaIraq Lebanon

JordanOman

BahrainIran Kuwait

QatarUAE

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

% ra

ised

cho

lest

erol

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885

Definitions: % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).

47

Men, 2008

 

Afghanistan

SomaliaPakistan

YemenSudan

EgyptLibya

MoroccoSaudi Arabia

DjiboutiTunisia

SyriaLebanon

Iraq JordanOman

Iran BahrainKuwait

QatarUAE

0

10

20

30

40

50

% ra

ised

cho

lest

erol

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885

Definitions: % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).

48

Women, 2008

 

Afghanistan

SomaliaPakistan

SudanYemen

DjiboutiLibya

MoroccoSaudi Arabia

SyriaTunisia

Iraq EgyptLebanon

JordanOman

BahrainKuwait

QatarIran UAE

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

% ra

ised

cho

lest

erol

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885

Definitions: % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).

49

Raised fasting blood glucose

Men, 2014

 

SomaliaDjibouti

SudanYemen

BahrainPakistan

Afghanistan

LebanonOman

Iran TunisiaMorocco

SyriaUAE

LibyaSaudi Arabia

JordanIraq Qatar

KuwaitEgypt

0

5

10

15

20

% ra

ised

fast

ing

bloo

d gl

ucos

e

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en

Definitions: Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).

50

Women, 2014

 

SomaliaSudan

DjiboutiIran Afghanistan

BahrainTunisia

PakistanYemen

MoroccoSyria

OmanLebanon

UAELibya

EgyptJordan

Iraq Saudi Arabia

QatarKuwait

0

5

10

15

20

% ra

ised

fast

ing

bloo

d gl

ucos

e

References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,

http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en

Definitions: Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).

51

Diabetes prevalence

Adults, 2021

 

Afghanistan

BahrainDjibouti

EgyptIran Iraq Jordan

KuwaitLebanon

LibyaMorocco

OmanPakistan

QatarSaudi Arabia

SomaliaSouth Sudan

SudanSyria

TunisiaUAE

Yemen

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

% d

iabe

tes

prev

alen

ce

Age: 20-79

Area covered: National

References: Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation.  IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels,

Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2021. http://www.diabetesatlas.org

Definitions: Age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes, %

52

Health systems

Economic classification: Lower Middle Income

Health systems summary

Pakistan’s health system is complex, with many subsystems and competing providers. Healthcare in the public sector is delivered by the federal and/or provincial government (dependent on area) while care in the private sector is delivered by actors ranging from hospitals to individually practising healthcare professionals, traditional healers and philanthropic organisations. The private sector is estimated to serve 70% of the Pakistani population, with Pakistan spending just 3.1% of its GDP on health. In 2015-2016, out of pocket expenditure was close to 60% of total health expenditure.

Pakistan is marked by severe urban-rural disparities. Despite an increase in the number of facilities in recent years, those in rural and remote areas have difficulty accessing services. This is exacerbated by a chronic shortage of healthcare workers.

Indicators

Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? No

Where is the country’s healthcare provider in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a

disease’?

No

Is there specialist training available dedicated to the training of health professionals to

prevent, diagnose, treat and manage obesity?

No

Have any taxes or subsidies been put in place to protect/assist/inform the population around

obesity?

No

Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity

in urban areas?

No

Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity

in rural areas?

No

Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? No

Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? No

In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? Out of pocket

53

Perceived barriers to treatment

Poor health literacy and/or behaviour

Lack of financial investment and

funding for coverage

High cost of out of pocket payments

Food industry influence

Obesity not recognised as a

disease

Fragmented and/or failing health system

Lack of training for healthcare

professionals

Poor adherence or fear of treatment

Lack of evidence, monitoring and

research

Summary of stakeholder feedback

Obesity is not yet considered a disease in Pakistan by the government, the healthcare providers or the public. Aside from new nutritional guidelines published in late 2018, stakeholders reported a lack of action around prevention from the government. There were calls for more public awareness campaigns to inform the public around a healthy lifestyle and calls for better obesity-related research.

Stakeholders reported there to be a lack of obesity management and treatment guidelines in Pakistan, and relatedly no routinely used care pathways. It did appear, however, that there was agreement that individuals became eligible for pharmacological treatment at BMI>30 kg/m2. It is unclear whether treatment is covered by the government and insurance providers, but stakeholders reported that treatment was mostly financed out of pocket by individuals.

There is great regional disparity in access to care in Pakistan. Weight management programmes were reported to be concentrated in major cities and even then, stakeholders remarked that they are manned by insufficiently qualified staff. As a result, people living with obesity in rural areas were said to not enter the health system for care (compounded by the fact that those in rural areas are also less likely to consider obesity to be a disease and so think care is necessary).

There is no specialist obesity training available in Pakistan. Stakeholders reported that a lot of treatment is delivered by ‘quacks’, particularly in rural areas. This issue of quacks is not isolated to obesity treatment.

Based on interviews/survey returns from 4 stakeholders

Last updated: June 2020

PDF created on February 1, 2022

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