About Obesity

The prevalence of obesity among adults has increased sharply in recent years. The proportion who were categorised as obese (BMI 30kg/m2 or over) increased from 13% of men in 1993 to 24% in 2008 and from 16% of women in 1993 to 25% in 2008 (HSE). In addition 10.2% of boys and 8.9% of girls (average 9.6%) in Reception year (aged 4-5 years) and 20% of boys and 16.5% of girls (average 18.3%) in Year 6 (aged 10-11 years) are also classified as obese according to the British 1990 population monitoring definition of obesity (≥95th centile) (NCMP 2008/09). By 2050 the prevalence of obesity is predicted to affect 60% of adult men, 50% of adult women and 25% of children (Foresight 2007).

Obesity develops from an accumulation of excess body fat, which occurs when energy intake from food and drink consumption is greater than energy expenditure through the body’s metabolism and physical activity. However the causes of obesity are more complex than this, and relate to a wide variety of societal and behavioural factors.

In adults, obesity is commonly defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. For children in the UK, the British 1990 growth charts are used to define weight status [1].

Obesity is associated with health problems which include type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The resulting NHS costs attributable to overweight and obesity are projected to reach £9.7 billion by 2050, with wider costs to society estimated to reach £49.9 billion per year (Foresight 2007). These factors combine to make the prevention of obesity a major public health challenge.

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For latest information on obesity treatment and prevention please visit NICE and Cochrane.

1: Cole TJ, Freeman JV, Preece MA (1995) Body mass index reference curves for the UK, 1990. Archives of Disease in Childhood 73:25-29