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. 2016 Sep 21;18(1):32–50. doi: 10.1111/obr.12466

Table 1.

Studies on the prevalence of weight control attempts sorted by country

Prevalence of weight control attempts (%)
Reference Study design Data collection Year of survey Population Sample size/% women Age (range; mean ± SD (years)) %Overweight1/Obesity2 Trying to lose Trying to maintain4 Total Response rate (%) Methodological limitations (categories)
(a)
15 PCS MS 1993 Australia reg. n = 1,342/50.4 ≥18; — 38.2/15.9 20.4 22.2 42.6 67.8 —
16 CSS MS 1997 Australia reg. n = 900/57.9 ≥18; 44.7 ± 16.5 30.0/12.7 22.9* 26.3* 49.2* 41.6 3
17 CSS IS 2004 Australia spec.a n = 1,973/58.0 ≥18; — 33.4/23.2 37.0 — — — 4
18 PCS MS 2007–2008 Australia spec.b n = 1,634/100 18–46; 36.5 ± 7.6 — 39.1 29.9 69.0 45.0 3, 4
19 CSS OS 2010–2011 Australia spec.a n = 1,335/60.9 ≥18; — 35.4/22.8 50.0 — — 85.0 1, 3
20 CSS IS/MS — Australia spec.c n = 994/54.0 ≥18, — 28.4/8.4 46.9 — — 65.4 4
21 CSS IS 2013 Bangladesh spec.d n = 649/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 34.23 32.1*** — — — 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Barbados spec.d n = 577/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 40.03 11.4*** — — — 1, 3
22 CSS MS 2001 Belgium nat. n = 2,591/62.6 18–74; — 23.4/9.8 — — 46.4 — —
23 CSS IS 2010 Brazil reg. n = 2,732/57.9 ≥20; 46.1 ± 17.0 36.3/26.0 26.6* — — 89.3 —
24 CSS IS 1986–1992 Canada nat. n = 17,564/50.9 18–74; — 34.3/15.4 32.6* — — 66.5 —
25 CSS OS 2008 Canada spec.d n = 3,069/74.8 —; 27.9 ± 10.2 25.63 33.3 — — — 1, 2, 3, 4
21 CSS IS 2013 Colombia spec.d n = 810/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 25.53 18.8*** — — — 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Egypt spec.d n = 696/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 41.63 20.5*** — — — 1, 3
26 CSS IS 1997–1998/2002 England nat. n = 9,098/48.1 25–60; — 1003 66.5* — — — —
27 PCS MS 1975 Finland nat. n = 7,729/54.3 18–54; — — 18.6* — — 89.0 4
28 CSS IS 1990–1991 France spec.d n = 656/55.6 18–30; 21.4 ± 2.5 1.8/0.3 23.8 — — 82.0 1, 2, 3, 4
29 CSS IS 1999 Great Britain nat. n = 1,894/50.5 —; 45.8 ± 18.2 32.3/10.8 28.5 36.4 64.9 70.0 4
30 CSS IS 2012 Great Britain nat. n = 810/46.7 16–90; 51.3 ± 17.9 65.2/34.8 45.0 — — — —
21 CSS IS 2013 India spec.d n = 800/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 36.83 16.4*** — — — 1, 3
22 CSS MS 2001 Italy nat. n = 1,062/42.4 18–74; — 29.2/6.8 — — 46.5 — —
21 CSS IS 2013 Ivory Coast spec.d n = 777/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 11.73 18.1*** — — — 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Jamaica spec.d n = 675/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 27.93 14.3*** — — — 1, 3
31 CSS IS 1998 Japan spec.e n = 146/0 30–65; 47.5 ± 9.3 30.83 32.2 — — 80.1 1, 2, 3, 4
21 CSS IS 2013 Kyrgyzstan spec.d n = 814/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 9.23 23.1*** — — — 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Laos spec.d n = 759/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 20.63 9.5*** — — — 1, 3
32 CSS IS 2001 Lebanon spec.d n = 2,013/60.0 —; 21.0 ± 2.4 18.03 30.0 — — 90.0 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Madagascar spec.d n = 780/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 5.13 21.6*** — — — 1, 3
33 CSS IS 2009 Malaysia spec.e n = 233/55.4 18–60; 32.5 ± 10.5 29.6/20.6 73.8 — — 70.6 4
34 CSS IS — Malaysia spec.f n = 1,032/62.8 ≥18; — — 24.5 — — — 1, 2, 3, 4
21 CSS IS 2013 Mauritius spec.d n = 461/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 13.03 16.4*** — — — 1, 3
35 CSS IS 2004 Mexico spec.d n = 2,651/62.0 17–45; 20.2 ± 2.6 28.93 38.8 — — — 1, 3, 4
21 CSS IS 2013 Namibia spec.d n = 466/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 19.33 16.4*** — — — 1, 3
36 CSS MS 2009 New Zealand nat. n = 1,601/100 40–50; 45.5 ± 3.2 29.4/20.7 39.4 42.1 81.5 65.8 —
21 CSS IS 2013 Nigeria spec.d n = 800/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 13.33 12.7*** — — — 1, 3
37 PCS MS 1997 Norway nat. n = 10,025/100 45–59; — 31.0/8.0 51.6 — — 51.2 2
21 CSS IS 2013 Pakistan spec.d n = 761/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 15.03 27.7 — — — 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Philippines spec.d n = 769/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 22.53 24.5*** — — — 1, 3
22 CSS MS 2001 Portugal nat. n = 1,313/55.4 18–74; — 32.9/9.3 — — 37.0 — —
38 CSS TS 2012 Portugal nat. n = 1,098/48.5 18–65; 40.1 ± 13.3 34.0/10.8 24.3 19.4 43.7 57.9 —
21 CSS IS 2013 Russia spec.d n = 785/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 17.03 22.0*** — — — 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Singapore spec.d n = 678/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 22.13 26.8*** — — — 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 South Africa spec.d n = 749/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 30.73 15.3*** — — — 1, 3
22 CSS MS 2001 Spain nat. n = 3,543/52.6 18–74; — 33.5/11.6 — — 43.3 — —
39 CSS IS 2012 Thailand spec.d n = 860/72.7 18–25; 20.1 ± 1.3 7.8/13.0 42.5 — — 97.3 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Thailand spec.d n = 785/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 20.83 29.0*** — — — 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Tunisia spec.d n = 961/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 26.33 23.8*** — — — 1, 3
21 CSS IS 2013 Turkey spec.d n = 795/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 18.73 22.5*** — — — 1, 3
40 CSS MS 1985Ŧ US nat. n = 170,971/52.8 ≥18; — 23.93 35.0 — — — —
41 CSS TS 1985–1988ŦŦ US nat. n =117,827/50.8 ≥18; — 20.03 38.6* — — — —
42 CSS IS 1987–1988 US spec.e n = 4,647/54.7 ≥18; 37.9 ± 0.21 — 19.7 — — 75.0 1, 3
43 CSS IS 1988–1994ŦŦŦ US nat. n = 13,092/51.9 ≥20; 45.7 ± 0.83 — 45.9 — — — —
44 CSS TS 1989ŦŦ US nat. n = 64,637/56.6 ≥18; 45.0 (no SD) — 33.5* 28.2* 61.7* 82.0 —
41 CSS TS 1989/1991–1992 US nat. n = 114,025/— ≥18; — 23.33 33.7* — — — —
45 CSS IS 1990 US nat. n = 31,347/— ≥25; — — 31.7* — — 86.3 —
46 CSS TS 1991 US nat. n = 7,805/— ≥18; — — 19.3 — — 72.0 —
47 CSS TS 1991 US reg. n = 2,072/61.5 ≥18; — — 34.4* — — 82.4 —
48 CSS IS 1994–1998 US reg. n = 123/73.2 18–70; — 67.03 48.8 — — 29.0 —
49 CSS TS 1996ŦŦ US nat. n = 107,804/50.4 ≥18; — — 36.4* 33.7* 70.1* — —
50 CSS TS 1996 US reg. n = 3,010/61.0 ≥18; — 59.03 38.0 — — 60.5 —
51 CSS TS 1996–1997 US nat. n = 1,760/100 ≥40; — 52.8/47.2 64.8 — — 87.3 —
52 CSS IS 1997–1998 US reg. n = 3,832/62.0 ≥18; 43.5 ± 15.6 — — — 52.7 66.0 —
53 CSS IS 1998Ŧ US nat. n = 30,433/55.5 ≥18; — — 30.9* — — 73.9 —
54 CSS TS 1999 US reg. n = 1,232/— ≥20; — — 36.1* 34.1* 70.2* — —
55 CSS TS 1999–2002ŦŦŦ US nat. n = 5,608/48.3 ≥20; 51.5 (no SD) 53.6/46.4 51.2 — — — —
56 CSS TS 2000ŦŦ US nat. n = 164,187/57.6 ≥18; — 36.4/20.7 39.5* — — 48.9 —
57 CSS IS 2000Ŧ US nat. n = 17,317/52.0 ≥18; — 35.0/18.0 30.0 21.0 51.0 83.0 —
58 CSS IS 2001–2002ŦŦŦ US nat. n = 4,354/49.3 ≥20; — 37.3/30.2 40.9 10.4 51.3 81.0 —
59 CSS IS 2001–2006ŦŦŦ US nat. n = 4,021/— ≥20; — 0.0/100 63.0 — — — —
60 CSS IS 2002 US spec.a n = 210/74.0 —; 52.0 (no SD) 8.0/92.0 49.8 — — 97.7 1, 2, 3, 4
61 CSS IS 2002–2003 US spec.d n = 38,204/65 18–25; 20.3 ± 1.71 21.0/7.0 49.8 23.4 73.2 57.0 1, 3, 4
62 CSS MS 2003 US nat. n = 3,771/59.4 ≥18; — 35.0/32.5 58.0 — — 69.0 —
63 CSS TS 2003ŦŦ US nat. n = 111,456/52.9 ≥20; 51.8 ± 14.5 60.1/39.9 55.7 — — — —
64 CSS IS 2003–2006ŦŦŦ US nat. n = 4,784/46.6 ≥20; 48.1 ± 0.51 1003 47.4 — — — —
65 CSS IS 2003–2008ŦŦŦ US nat. n = 16,720/51.0 ≥18; — 33.5/32.7 37.0 11.4 48.4 — —
66 CSS IS 2005 US spec.e n = 813/79.0 18–65; — 32.0/35.2 62.7 — — 56.0 1, 3, 4
67 CSS IS 2005–2008ŦŦŦ US nat. n = 5,474/47.2 20–64; — 47.5/52.5 50.2* — — — —
68 CSS IS 2007–2010ŦŦŦ US nat. n = 9,569/51.0 ≥20; — 35.0/33.0 43.0 — — — —
69 CSS TS/MS 2008ŦŦŦŦ US nat. n = 7,059/50.8 ≥18; 46.1 (no SD) 34.4/27.8 53.4* — — 31.0 —
70 CSS IS 2009 US spec.a n = 3,949/65.3 ≥18; 39.9 ± 0.88 28.8/47.5 60.1** — — 71.0 2
71 CSS MS 2009–2010 US spec.g n = 1,510/74.0 ≥18; — 26.0/46.0 51.0 — — 24.0 4
72 PCS MS 2012ŦŦŦŦ US nat. n = 3,407/49.8 ≥18; — — 52.0* 24.0* 76.0* 40.0 —
73 CSS OS — US nat. n = 4,023/100 25–45; 35.2 ± 5.9 — 67.2 — — — —
74 CSS IS — US spec.a n = 414/66.3 19–79; 55.0 ± 15.4 0.0/100 73.0 — — — 1, 2, 3, 4
21 CSS IS 2013 Venezuela spec.d n = 444/— 16–30; 20.8 ± 2.8 20.53 19.2*** 1, 3
(b)
75 CSS IS 2001–2003 Holland reg. n = 1,441/58.8 35–60; 45.4 ± 6.5 62.4/24.8 38.8* 12.9* 51.7* 60.0 1, 3
76 CSS IS 2002 Norway, reg. n = 629/42.3 30–60; 42.4 (no SD) 49.1/15.5 27.5* — — 44.0 —
77 CSS TS 1990 US reg. n = 1,445/67 ≥18; 45.2 ± 18.1 43.83 66.0** — — 81.1 —
78 CSS IS 1992–1993 US reg. n = 1,143/100 24–42; 31.6 ± 3.8 — 9.9* — — — —
79 CSS TS 1994 US reg. n = 244/55.7 ≥18; — — 41.9 — — 91.1 3
80 CSS IS 1985 US spec.e n = 500/100 25–65; 40.6 ± 10.1 39.0 40.0 — — — 1, 2, 3, 4
81 CSS TS 2003 US spec.h n = 572/71.2 ≥18; 53.9 ± 15.7 — 49.4 — — 56.8 1, 2, 3, 4
82 CSS IS 2003 US spec.d n = 392/69.0 —; 23.7 ± 5.5 28.6/15.6 38.3 — — — 1, 2, 3, 4
83 CSS IS 2003–2004 US spec.i n = 585/49.0 ≥18; 45.9 (no SD) 1003 58.0 — — — 1, 2, 3, 4
84 CSS IS 2009 US spec.i n = 413/100 ≥18; 35.6 ± 14.7 25.0/41.0 59.0 — — — 1, 2, 3, 4
85 CSS IS — US spec.i n = 203/100 20–64; 33.8 (no SD) 65.73 29.1 40.4 69.5 — 1, 2, 3, 4
86 CSS IS — US spec.i n = 219/58.0 —; 31.0 (no SD) 55.53 33.3 41.1 74.4 — 1, 2, 3, 4
Sample size weighed mean 39.1 30.3 66.6
Only (a) 38.6 30.3 66.7
Only (b) 41.7 19.2 56.3
1

Body mass index ≥ 25 and <30 kg/m2 (≥23 and <25 kg/m2 for 21, 39).

2

Body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 (≥25 kg/m2 for 21, 39) or 120% of ideal body weight.

3

Overweight plus Obesity.

4

Or avoid gaining weight.

(a) General population studies.

(b) Ethnic‐minority population studies.

CSS, cross‐sectional survey; IS, in‐person/self‐administered survey; MS, mail survey; OS, online survey; PCS, prospective cohort study; TS, telephone survey.

nat., national representative data; reg., regional representative data; spec., specific setting data.

a

Patients from Health/Primary Care Centers.

b

Individuals from low socioeconomic areas.

c

Individuals from high and low socioeconomic areas.

d

University students/community.

e

Workers/employees.

f

Stationary individuals in a shopping center.

g

Patients covered by National Healthcare Insurance.

h

Members of religious congregations.

i

Members of the community at large.

*

Estimated percentages based on the data available.

**

Prevalence reported only for overweight and obese individuals.

***

Prevalence reported only for underweight and normal weight individuals.

Ŧ

Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

ŦŦ

Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

ŦŦŦ

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

ŦŦŦŦ

Data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS).

1

Sample was not representative.

2

Participants were not recruited from an appropriate source and/or no random selection was used to recruit them.

3

No sample size calculation.

4

No information on non‐response/refusals and/or no comparison between responders and non‐responders was made (if there was oversampling and data was weighed to reflect country/region population estimates, we assumed that non‐response was taken into account).

Limitations of the studies were determined with The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data 8.