Physical activity in the Active People Survey: developing an indicator that includes walking and cycling for transport

This paper describes analysis of the Sport England Active People Survey to calculate the percentage of adults that participate in moderate intensity physical activity, for 30 minutes or more on at least three and five days per week that includes walking and cycling for transport.

The data are presented separately in the form of an interactive mapping and analysis tool (e-atlas), on the NOO website. The data are presented in both the adult single map e-atlas, and the adult dual map e-atlas.

Preventing childhood obesity through lifestyle change interventions. A briefing paper for commissioners

This briefing paper aims to support commissioners by providing a brief guide to current best available evidence on effective treatment interventions for children and young people who are overweight or obese.

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: Market Segmentation and Mapping

The 'Healthy Weight Healthy Lives: Consumer Insight Summary', published in November 2008, describes market research into families' attitudes and behaviours relating to diet and physical activity and looks at how families can be grouped into six clusters. This work was commissioned in order to inform the development of the national Change4Life campaign.

Follow-on work was subsequently undertaken to produce a more detailed geographical mapping of the identified clusters. This briefing note aims to summarise the geodemographic segmentation approach and give guidance on the appropriate use of the cluster postcode directories and maps.

Measures of central adiposity as an indicator of obesity

High levels of central adiposity in adults are known to be associated with increased risk of obesity-related conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Although measures of central adiposity are closely correlated with BMI, they have been shown to predict future ill health independently of BMI.

International comparisons of obesity prevalence

The purpose of this paper is to provide a single resource for international comparisons of obesity prevalence focused on the United Kingdom (UK) and to inform the debate on trends in adult and childhood obesity levels within the UK by providing a global comparison.

Body Mass Index as a measure of obesity

This Q and A style briefing paper provides an overview of the use of Body Mass Index for the measurement of obesity.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in metres. It is one of the most commonly used ways of estimating whether a person is overweight and hence more likely to experience health problems than someone with a healthy weight. It is also used to measure population prevalence of overweight and obesity. It is also a relatively easy, cheap and non-invasive method for establishing weight status. However, BMI is only a proxy for body fatness. Other factors such as fitness, ethnic origin and puberty can alter the relation between BMI and body fatness and must be taken into consideration. Other measurements such as waist circumference and skin thickness can be collected to indicate a person’s weight status or body fatness. None of these is as widely used as BMI.

Physical activity surveillance in England: what is measured and where are the gaps?

This paper aims to identify and describe the main sources of national-level surveillance data on physical activity in adults and children in England, in order to identify any important gaps. This is distinct from the measurement of physical activity at a local level in order to evaluate the impact of specific interventions or for local needs assessments. The paper focuses on data on the population prevalence of physical activity, but also includes key sources of available data on determinants of physical activity (such as characteristics of the built environment).