Headlines

ESTEBAN Study 2014–2016: Stabilization of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adults

Santé publique France has published the first chapter of the 2014–2016 ESTEBAN Study (a health study on the environment, biomonitoring, physical activity, and nutrition) focusing on body weight. These findings are presented in a report and an article in the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin.The ESTEBAN study is part of the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS) established by the Ministry of Health. It follows the National Nutrition and Health Study (ENNS) conducted in 2006. Conducted 10 years apart, a comparison of the results indicates a stabilization in overweight and obesity rates among children and adults.

Overweight and obesity among adults aged 18 to 74 in 2015

• 54% of men and 44% of women are overweight or obese (BMI* ≥ 25 kg/m²). This prevalence increases with age.

• The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) is estimated at 17%, with no distinction between men and women.

• A comparison of data between ENNS-2006 and ESTEBAN-2015 indicates that the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) remains stable, at around 49%, and that the specific prevalence of obesity remains at 17% for the entire adult population.

• The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) remains higher among those with the lowest levels of education.

Overweight and obesity among children aged 6 to 17 in 2015

• The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) is estimated at 17%, of which 4% are obese.

• The prevalence of underweight (BMI < 18.5) is estimated at 13% overall and reaches 19% among girls aged 11–14.

• A comparison of data between ENNS-2006 and ESTEBAN-2015 indicates that the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) among children remains stable. At the same time, the prevalence of underweight has increased significantly from 8% to 13%, with this increase primarily affecting girls aged 11–14.

• The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) remains higher among children whose household reference persons have the lowest educational attainment.