The ENE-COVID study: the most complete map to date
The Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) and the Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN) analyzed data from the ENE-COVID study, involving over 57,000 adults and 10,500 minors, to estimate obesity and excess weight prevalence by autonomous community and province across Spain. It's, to date, one of the most detailed territorial maps on this issue.
Nationally, the study found that 55.8% of the adult population has excess weight, with 18.7% obesity and 37.1% overweight. But the most interesting finding is how that figure varies by territory.
💡 The provinces with the highest obesity prevalence identified in the study were Lugo (27.3%), Badajoz (27%) and Cuenca (24.4%); the lowest were Girona (13.9%) and Madrid (14.6%).
A clear geographic pattern: south and northwest vs. the northern peninsula
According to the ISCIII and AESAN analysis, autonomous communities with the highest childhood obesity prevalence are concentrated in the south and southeast of the country, plus the Canary Islands. The lowest obesity and excess weight prevalence in children, by contrast, is found in provinces in the northern half of Spain.
Comparison: childhood obesity by autonomous community
| Autonomous community | Childhood obesity (ages 2-17) | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Melilla | 19.3% | Highest |
| Ceuta | 18.4% | High |
| Andalucía | 14.1% | High |
| Comunidad Valenciana | 14.1% | High |
| Canarias | 13.8% | High |
| Aragón | 7.8% | Low |
| Navarra | 7.7% | Low |
| Cantabria | 7.4% | Low |
| La Rioja | 7.2% | Low |
| País Vasco | 2.9% | Lowest |
What factors explain these differences?
An analysis published in the Revista Española de Cardiología on obesity trends across Spanish autonomous communities between 1987 and 2020 points to several related factors:
- Population aging: communities like Galicia, Castilla y León and Asturias, with higher adult obesity prevalence, are among those with the highest aging index in Spain.
- Socioeconomic factors: Andalucía and the Region of Murcia, with elevated prevalence, are among the communities with the lowest GDP and lowest percentage of population with higher education.
- Dietary westernization: the study itself points to the shift toward a more calorie-dense diet, with more processed foods and less fresh fruit and vegetables, as a cross-cutting factor in Spain's overall rise in obesity.
What about the Mediterranean diet? An interesting nuance
You might expect higher Mediterranean diet adherence in Mediterranean coastal regions versus the north or center of the peninsula, but a study assessing adherence via the MEDAS and PREDIMED questionnaires in a Spanish population found no statistically significant differences in adherence scores between northern, central and Mediterranean coastal zones. This suggests geography alone doesn't determine diet quality as much as individual factors (age, education level, personal habits) do.
🎯 The practical takeaway: living near the Mediterranean doesn't guarantee following the Mediterranean diet, just as living in the north doesn't rule it out. Individual habits matter more than zip code.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there so much difference between neighboring provinces?
Factors like population aging, socioeconomic level, access to fresh food, and differences in physical activity between rural and urban settings can generate notable variation even between geographically close provinces.
Does this data mean my origin determines my health?
No. This is aggregate population data, useful for understanding general trends and guiding public health policy, but it doesn't determine any individual's outcome. Personal habits remain the most modifiable and decisive factor at the individual level.
Is there more recent data than ENE-COVID?
ENE-COVID, with 2020 data, remains the most complete reference study with provincial-level breakdown in Spain. The National Health Survey and the European Health Survey in Spain are updated periodically and broadly confirm the territorial trends observed.
Whatever your region, start with your own data
With Comeloia you can log your actual eating habits, without relying on general statistics, and see exactly how your diet lines up with your personal goals.
Summary: what to remember
- The ENE-COVID study (ISCIII/AESAN) confirms notable obesity differences between Spanish communities and provinces.
- The south, southeast and Canary Islands show the highest childhood obesity prevalence; the north, the lowest.
- Population aging and socioeconomic factors help explain part of these differences.
- Mediterranean diet adherence shows no significant differences by geographic zone in some studies: individual habits matter more than location.
- This data is useful at the population level, but doesn't determine any individual's health outcome.
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