Because the Body Mass Index (BMI) changes with age, for children, the measure is placed on a standard gender-specific growth chart provided by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). According to this chart, five percent of Belgian children are considered to be obese in 2018. In other words, five percent of children in Belgium have a BMI situated above the 95th percentile for age, gender, and height.
Furthermore, the share of obese children was slowly increasing over the years. In 1997, roughly four percent of children were obese in Belgium, whereas in 2018, over five percent of them suffered from obesity. However, this increase was not steady, the share of obese children slightly decreased in 2008 and 2018.
Evaluating the growth allows the early detection of the risk of becoming overweight or obese, therefore allowing to take preventative measures and supporting the child and his family in a healthier lifestyle, balancing physical activity with an appropriate diet.
Share of obese children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Sciensano. (October 30, 2019). Share of obese children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 04, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090687/body-mass-index-obese-belgian-children/
Sciensano. "Share of obese children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018." Chart. October 30, 2019. Statista. Accessed December 04, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090687/body-mass-index-obese-belgian-children/
Sciensano. (2019). Share of obese children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 04, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090687/body-mass-index-obese-belgian-children/
Sciensano. "Share of Obese Children According to Their Average Body Mass Index (Bmi) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Oct 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090687/body-mass-index-obese-belgian-children/
Sciensano, Share of obese children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090687/body-mass-index-obese-belgian-children/ (last visited December 04, 2024)
Share of obese children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018 [Graph], Sciensano, October 30, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090687/body-mass-index-obese-belgian-children/