How many adults are overweight?
In 2021, around half of the Dutch population aged 18 years and over were overweight. Of this group, 36 percent were moderately and 14 percent severely overweight (obesity). The other 48 percent of adults had a normal weight while 1 percent were underweight. The percentage of moderately and severely overweight adults has not changed since 2014.
Being overweightnoot1 is more common among men (53 percent) than women (47 percent). Men are more frequently moderately overweight (41 percent) than women (31 percent); on the other hand, the women are more likely to be severely overweight at almost 17 percent, against 12 percent of the men.
Least overweight under 30
The lowest prevalence of overweight is found in the young adult group up to the age of 30, where 30 percent are overweight. The percentage is twice as high among 55 to 64‑year-olds and 65 to 74‑year-olds. At 22 percent, being moderately overweight is also less common in the youngest age group than in other age groups. Among the 18 to 29‑year-olds, 9 percent are severely overweight. This is lower than for the 40–74 age group. Among the 55 to 64‑year-olds, 19 percent are severely overweight.
| Leeftijd | Moderately overweight | Severely overweight |
|---|---|---|
| 18-29 yrs | 21.7 | 8.6 |
| 30-39 yrs | 34.5 | 11.4 |
| 40-49 yrs | 34.9 | 16.7 |
| 50-54 yrs | 41.1 | 15.6 |
| 55-64 yrs | 41.4 | 18.5 |
| 65-74 yrs | 42.7 | 17.5 |
| 75 yrs and over | 39.9 | 13.1 |
Less overweight among highly educated people
Among the highly educatednoot2, 41 percent are overweight, versus 60 percent of those with a lower educational background. Highly educated people are also less often moderately or severely overweight. The percentage of severely overweight people is almost twice as high among low-educated people at 18 percent as among highly educated people (almost 10 percent).
| Onderwijsniveau | Moderately overweight | Severely overweight |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 41.6 | 18.4 |
| Intermediate | 37.4 | 16.5 |
| High | 30.9 | 9.7 |
Sources
StatLine – Lifestyle and (preventive) health examination; personal characteristics
StatLine – Health, lifestyle, health care use and supply, causes of death; key figures
Relevant links
Survey description – Health Survey
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) – Lifestyle monitor (available in Dutch only)
The questions
- How does CBS collect data?
- How much do we cycle per week on average?
- Who are most likely to work part-time?
- How many people visited Bonaire by cruise ship?
- Are people happy with the house they live in?
- How many young women encounter street harassment?
- What do the over-65s do online?
- How many wind turbines in the Netherlands?
- How far is school by bike?
- How many museums are there?
- How much electricity in the Caribbean Netherlands is renewable?
- How many adults are overweight?
- How many cargo ships dock at Dutch seaports?
- What did we listen to on the radio in 1953?
- What is the average lifespan in the Netherlands?
- Where did we go for a holiday in 1947?
- How much fish is landed?
- Where were people in the Netherlands born?
- What do we spend money on?
- How old are Dutch first-time mothers on average?
- How much cheese do we produce?
- How are goods transported through the Netherlands?
- How many people fall victim to cybercrime?
- What is the most spoken language or dialect at home?
- How many shops are there?
- What is the value of Dutch beer exports?
- How often do we have a goosebump moment?
- How many cows graze in fields?
- What are the most popular majors?
- How tall are Dutch people?
- How is the urban bird population doing?
- Where do most people work?
- What colour is our car?
- How does CBS handle your privacy?
Noten
Overweight
The health survey asks all respondents questions on height and body weight. It asks for height in cm without shoes and body weight in kg without clothes. Pregnant women are asked questions on their body weight before their pregnancy.
The measure for underweight and overweight is the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI is the quotient of a person’s body mass (weight) in kilograms and the square of their body height in metres [kg/m2]. For adults aged 20 years and over, the criteria are as follows:
- Underweight: BMI < 18.5
- Normal weight: BMI ≥ 18.5 and < 25.0
- Overweight: BMI ≥ 25.0
- Moderately overweight: BMI ≥ 25.0 and < 30.0
- Severely overweight or obese: BMI ≥ 30.0
Different limit values apply to persons under the age of 20. These values depend on the person’s age and sex.
Education level
The health survey also contained questions on education. For those aged 18 to 24, the basis was the highest level of education attended. For those aged 25 years or above, the basis was the highest level of education attained.
- Low education level: The highest education level attended or attained is primary education.
This level includes primary education, prevocational secondary education (VMBO), the first three years of senior general secondary education (HAVO)/pre-university education (VWO) and lower secondary vocational training (entry level), formerly assistant’s training (MBO-1). - Secondary education level: The highest education level attended or attained is secondary education.
This level includes upper secondary education (HAVO/VWO), basic vocational training (MBO-2), vocational training (MBO-3), and middle management and specialist education (MBO-4). - Higher education level: The highest education level attended or attained is higher education.
This level comprises higher vocational education (HBO) and university education (WO).