Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 2 on ending hunger and malnutrition and SDG 3 on good health and well-being; which are embedded in the European Commission’s 2024-2029 Priorities under 'Sustaining our quality of life: Food security, water and nature'.
SDG 2 - among other things - seeks to end all forms of malnutrition, and ensure access to safe and nutritious food. SDG 3 - among other things - aims to ensure health and well-being for all at all ages. Although the EU has largely overcome problems of hunger, new challenges related to nutrition are emerging, such as rising obesity.
The indicator can be considered as part of the global SDG indicator 2.2.2 "Prevalence of malnutrition (weight for height >+2 or <-2 standard deviation from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age, by type (wasting and overweight)".
EU food policy include nutrition initiatives and work with EU Member States in various public health initiatives in the area of nutrition and physical activity to promote a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.
4.1. Data description
This indicator is derived from the body mass index (BMI), which is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in metres. People aged 18 years or over are considered obese if their BMI is equal to or greater than 30. The category ‘pre-obese’ refers to people with a BMI between 25 and less than 30.
The category ‘overweight’ (BMI equal or greater than 25) combines the two categories pre-obese and obese.
4.2. Unit of measure
% of population aged 18 or over, by body mass index (BMI)
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS (EHIS & SILC)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data sources:
European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) for data referring to 2008, 2014 and 2019. EHIS may be implemented as a separate national survey or can be integrated into an existing national survey (i.e. national health interview survey, labour force survey, other household survey). In such a way Member States have the maximum flexibility for implementation. However, across the EU the same data were collected according to a common list of variables.
Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) for data referring to 2017 and 2022. The BMI question (variable PH110, compulsory) has been included in the test of the 3-year SILC health module 2017. Data from this source are used to bridge the gap between EHIS based data of 2014 and 2019.
Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat), based on data collected via national surveys.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every 3+ years
5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The latest data collection based on EHIS was conducted in 2019 (periodicity of 5 years) and the latest data collection based on SILC was conducted in 2022 (periodicity of 3 years). Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year
5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
The latest release of EHIS based data (reference year 2019) was published in 2021 and disaggregation by additional dimensions (degree of urbanisation, country of birth and country of citizenship) was published in 2022.
The latest release of SILC based data (reference year 2022) was published in 2023.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS
6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
EHIS data 2014 are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom and Türkiye.
SILC data 2017 are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
EHIS data 2019 are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye.
SILC data 2022 are presented for all EU Member States plus Norway, Switzerland, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and Türkiye.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS
6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
5 to 10 years
6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU aggregate) starts in 2014.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
3 to 4 data points
6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological breaks is 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of the indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in an EU context).
hlth_det_esms - European Health Interview Survey (EHIS)
This indicator is derived from the body mass index (BMI), which is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in metres. People aged 18 years or over are considered obese if their BMI is equal to or greater than 30. The category ‘pre-obese’ refers to people with a BMI between 25 and less than 30.
The category ‘overweight’ (BMI equal or greater than 25) combines the two categories pre-obese and obese.
28 March 2025
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Calendar year
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
% of population aged 18 or over, by body mass index (BMI)
