Approximately two thirds of the Egyptian population (62.2%) are overweight and one third (31.3%) is obese.

About 40% of Egyptian population suffers from raised blood pressure and 37% has raised cholesterol level.

Almost one quarter (24.4%) of the Egyptian population are current smokers.

The STEPwise survey was implemented by the Ministry of Health and Population, in collaboration with the WHO country office in Egypt. It is a population-based survey designed to produce a comparable data on prevalence of chronic disease risk factors and selected chronic noncommunicable diseases. The survey targeted Egyptian adult men and women aged 15–65 years living in rural and urban areas in 10 governorates. Multi-stage cluster sample design was used in the survey, in addition to standardized international instrument and methodology. Moreover, and for the first time, the Ministry of Health and Population used electronic data collection devices (PDAs) to administer the adapted survey’s questionnaire.