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Take the testNew numbers! Half of Germans are overweight – are you too?
More than every second German adult is overweight (symbolic image).
Pia Bayer/dpa/dpa-tmn
More than every second German is too fat!
New research shows that Germany has a massive problem: obesity. The Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden now reports that many adults weigh too many kilos. We have all the exact numbers and will also show you whether you are affected yourself.
What BMI do I have? You can find the BMI calculator here!
In 2025, around 53.4 percent of adults in Germany were overweight, as the Federal Statistical Office announced on Tuesday (June 2). Men were significantly more likely to be overweight than women. Almost two thirds of men (62.6 percent) were overweight in the past year. For women it was 43.8 percent.
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Excess weight is determined by the so-called body mass index (BMI). When calculating BMI, body weight is divided by the square of height. This creates a value that can be classified on a scale – and with which the weight can be assessed. You can calculate your personal BMI here.
The World Health Organization classifies adults with a BMI over 25 as overweight and those over 30 as severely overweight. According to the information, 17.9 percent of people in Germany were considered to be severely overweight or obese. 19.9 percent of men were severely overweight and 15.8 percent of women were overweight.
But caution is advised when it comes to BMI and its interpretation! Background: The body mass index, which is so well established, has weaknesses, as a result of which its informative value suffers. Many experts point this out, including the German Medical Journal. The BMI is now considered outdated in many places and should therefore be seen as a guideline.
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Further results of obesity research
In keeping with the high obesity rates, people in Germany have become slightly heavier on average in recent years. The average citizen weighs 78.3 kilograms and is 1.73 meters tall. Four years earlier, the average weight was 77.7 kilograms.
According to the information, women are on average 1.66 meters tall and weigh 69.7 kilograms, men are 1.79 meters and 86.5 kilograms. Looking at the age groups, on average the 50 to 59 year old women and men are the heaviest. The 18 to 24 year olds, however, are the lightest at 72.5 kilos.
The data basis is the 2025 microcensus
The information on overweight and the average citizen is based on the so-called Microcensus 2025, the largest annual household survey in Germany. Around one percent of the population was surveyed. Answering the health questions is voluntary. 51 percent of those surveyed provided information about height and weight. (with afp)
Sources used: AFP, Obesity Society, German medical journal, AOK, star
