Country Correspondent: Lars Hemkens
Results of the 2017 national health survey in Switzerland, released in October 2018, showed that the proportion of overweight and obese people has remained constant, at 31 percent and 11 percent, respectively, over the past 10 years. However, rates of overweight and obesity have increased since 1992, from 25 percent and 5 percent, respectively. The survey also revealed a strong social gradient, with 21 percent of people who have completed only compulsory schooling being obese, in contrast to just 8 percent of those with higher qualifications. Overall, the majority of Swiss people age 15 and older report being in good health, including two-thirds of adults age 75 and older. The 2017 survey included 22,134 persons; it has been carried out every five years since 1992.
