Working in partnership with the Obesity Learning Centre
NOO Publications
Latest Publications
Changes in children’s BMI between 2006/07 and 2011/12
This report presents analysis of data from the first six years of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) and describes the changes that have taken place across survey years in the body mass index (BMI) of children aged 4–5 and 10–11 years attending state maintained schools in England.
Prevalence of obesity and mean BMI (adjusted for age) have been used to summarise the BMI of the child population by school year and sex. Analysis has also been conducted to examine changes by level of socioeconomic deprivation, by ethnic group, and across the BMI distribution. This report provides an update on the analysis presented by the National Obesity Observatory (NOO) in 2012.
Published February 2013
Download: Changes in children’s BMI between 2006/07 and 2011/12
TV viewing and obesity in children and young people
TV viewing has been linked to increased obesity among children and young people, but is there evidence to support this view? This one page summary outlines the association between TV viewing and obesity, with reference to unhealthy dietary habits, sedentary behaviour and exposure to TV advertising.
Published June 2012
Download: TV viewing and obesity in children and young people
Changes in children’s BMI between 2006/07 and 2010/11
This report presents analysis of data from the first five years of National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) and describes the changes that have taken place across survey years in the body mass index (BMI) of children aged 4–5 and 10–11 years attending state maintained schools in England.
Prevalence of obesity and mean BMI (adjusted for age) have been used to summarise the BMI of the child population by school year and sex. Analysis has also been conducted to examine changes across the BMI distribution, by level of socioeconomic deprivation, and by ethnic group.
This report provides an update on the analysis presented by the National Obesity Observatory (NOO) in 2011
Download: Changes in children’s BMI between 2006/07 and 2010/11
Obesity and alcohol – an overview
This paper aims to provide a brief overview of current understanding of the key issues related to obesity and alcohol in the following areas:
- Alcohol consumption and energy intake
- Patterns and levels of drinking
- Alcohol, obesity and liver cirrhosis
- Alcohol dependency and obesity
- Obesity, alcohol and gender.
Published February 2012
Download: Obesity and alcohol – an overview
National Child Measurement Programme: Changes in children’s body mass index between 2006/07 and 2009/10
This report presents analysis of the first four years of National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) data, and highlights any statistically significant differences that can be detected across survey years in the body mass index (BMI) of English children aged 4–5 and 10–11 years.
It provides an update on the analysis presented last year. Prevalence of obesity and mean BMI (adjusted for age) have been used to summarise the BMI of the child population by school year and sex. Analysis has also been conducted to examine change across the BMI distribution, by level of socioeconomic deprivation, and by ethnic group.
A further update to this series of reports examining trends in child BMI will be published in Spring 2012 to include the 2010/11 NCMP data.
Published: October 2011
Does skipping breakfast help with weight loss?
Some people choose to skip breakfast because they think it will help them to lose weight. What is the role of breakfast in maintaining a healthy weight?
Published October 2011
Download: Does skipping breakfast help with weight loss?
Child obesity statistics for PCT Clusters
A set of maps and charts illustrating the variation in child obesity and healthy weight across the new Primary Care Trust (PCT) clusters in England. It also illustrates the relationship between obesity prevalence and level of socicoeconomic deprivation, and describes the level of participation in the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for all PCT clusters.
Published September 2011
Download Child obesity statistics for PCT Clusters
NCMP analysis using the ONS Area Classification
This report explores child obesity prevalence (using National Child Measurement Programme data) by geographic population sub-groups that are based on socio-demographic characteristics (Office for National Statistics Area Classification). The analysis highlights health inequalities that exist between different population groups and identifies the likely level of obesity within local neighbourhoods and populations.
Published September 2011
Download: NCMP analysis using the ONS Area Classification
National Child Measurement Programme - guidance for small area analysis
This paper provides advice for users of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) dataset who wish to undertake analysis at small area level, such as local neighbourhoods or communities. This guidance supplements the general guidance for NCMP analysis which is circulated with the dataset and available on the National Obesity Observatory (NOO) website.
Published July 2011
Download: National Child Measurement Programme - guidance for small area analysis
A simple guide to classifying body mass index in children
A simple guide to the different methods that can be used to interpret BMI in children and young people.
Published June 2011
Download: A simple guide to classifying body mass index in children
Slide sets for adult and child obesity
Powerpoint slides presenting key data and information on adult and child obesity in clear, easy to understand charts and graphics
Published June 2011
Go to: Slide Sets
Knowledge and attitudes towards healthy eating and physical activity
This paper presents new analyses of data on knowledge and attitudes relating to physical activity and dietary intake and investigates factors that may be mediators of behaviour change.
Published May 2011
Download: Knowledge and attitudes towards healthy eating and physical activity
Brief interventions for weight management
This paper provides a guide to current best available evidence on brief interventions for weight management with adults. Brief interventions are interventions focused on changing behaviour that are limited by time – often to a few minutes per session.
Published April 2011
Download: Brief interventions for weight management
Data sources: environmental influences on physical activity and diet
This paper describes available sources of national and local data on aspects of the neighbourhood environment that influence physical activity and diet.
Published March 2011
Download: Data sources: environmental influences on physical activity and diet
Measuring diet and physical activity in weight management interventions
This paper identifies a shortlist of practical and validated questionnaires for the assessment of physical activity and diet to support public health practitioners in the evaluation of weight management interventions.
Published March 2011
Download: Measuring diet and physical activity in weight management interventions
Download: Supplement (copies of questionnaires)
Obesity and Mental Health
This paper provides an overview of current evidence on the relationship between obesity and mental health in the UK and highlights the co-directional associations between common mental health disorders and obesity.
Published March 2011
Download: Obesity and Mental Health
Obesity and ethnicity
This paper provides an overview of the current evidence on the relationship between obesity and ethnicity for adults and children in the UK
Published: January 2011
Download: Obesity and Ethnicity
Variation in children’s BMI by month of measurement
This paper analyses the 2008/09 NCMP dataset to investigate whether any variation in obesity prevalence and BMI can be detected between measurements taken in different months.
Published December 2010
Download: Variation in children’s BMI by month of measurement
The economic burden of obesity
This paper draws together estimates for the economic burden of obesity and overweight in terms of both direct costs to the NHS and indirect costs to wider society.
Published October 2010
Download: The economic burden of obesity
Bariatric surgery for obesity
This paper describes the most commonly performed bariatric surgery procedures in the UK, and discusses the efficacy of the various forms of bariatric surgery as a treatment option for obesity. The paper also presents available data on levels of bariatric surgery activity in England.
Published August 2010
Download: Bariatric surgery for obesity
Review of dietary assessment methods in public health
This report provides a descriptive summary of tools to measure dietary intake and dietary behaviours - exploring the application, reliability and validity of the various tools.
Published August 2010
Download: Review of dietary assessment methods in public health
Download: Supplement: Review of dietary assessment methods in public health Dietary assessment questionnaires
Obesity and life expectancy
This paper briefly outlines key findings of studies investigating the impact of obesity on life expectancy.
Published August 2010
Download: Obesity and life expectancy
National Child Measurement Programme: Changes in children’s body mass index between 2006/07 and 2008/09
This report presents analysis of the first three years of National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) data, and highlights any statistically significant differences that can be detected across survey years in the body mass index of English children aged 4 to 5 and 10 to 11 years.
Published June 2010
Data Sources: knowledge of and attitudes towards healthy eating and physical activity
This paper identifies and describes the main sources of national-level data on knowledge of, and attitude towards healthy eating and physical activity in adults and children in England. Descriptions are provided for the available sources of data, the methods used for their collection and their limitations. The focus is on data that are systematically and regularly collected from the national population and are in the public domain.
Published June 2010
Download: Data Sources: knowledge of and attitudes towards healthy eating and physical activity
Download: Supplement (details of survey questions)
Factsheets (formerly called Key Data Briefings)
This series of data briefings compiles up-to-date key information and data about obesity and its determinants in an easily readable format. The briefings will be a useful resource for policy makers, practitioners and anyone with an interest in obesity. They will be updated regularly and the series will be expanded to cover more factors that impact on obesity.
Published 2010
Dietary surveillance and nutritional assessment in England: what is measured and where are the gaps?
This paper identifies, describes and discusses the main sources of data for national level dietary intake and nutritional status in adults and children in England.
Published March 2010
Download: Dietary surveillance and nutritional assessment in England: what is measured and where are the gaps?
We welcome your feedback. If you have any queries or comments on this report please contact info@noo.org.uk