The prevalence of obesity among adults in England has been generally been trending upwards since 2000. In that year, 21 percent of men and women in England were classified as obese. However, by 2022 this share was 30 percent among women and 28 percent among men. Obesity causing strain on health service As the prevalence of obesity is increasing in England, the number of hospital admissions as a result of obesity has also increased. In the period 2019/20, around eight thousand women and nearly 2.7 thousand men were admitted to hospital. A huge rise from the admission levels fifteen years previously. The highest number of admissions due to obesity were found in the age group 45 to 54 years, with over 3.1 thousand admissions in that age group. Situation in Scotland In Scotland in 2022, the mean Body Mass Index of women was 28.1 and for men it was 27.9. A BMI of over 25 is classed as overweight. While the prevalence of obesity or morbid obesity in Scotland in 2020 was 30 percent among women and 26 percent among men.

In 2019, 27 percent of boys and 20 percent of girls aged between 11 and 15 years in England were classed as obese. Additionally, in the age group two to ten years old, 15 percent of boys and eight percent of girls were obese. Prevalence among adults The prevalence of obesity among adults in England has been creeping upwards since 2000. In that year, 21 percent of men and women were classed as obese in England. However, by 2021 this share had increased to 26 percent for women and 25 percent for men. Obesity heavy on the health service The number of hospital admissions as a result of obesity in England has increased alongside the general increase in obesity. In the year 2019/20, almost 8.1 thousand women and 2.7 thousand men were admitted to hospital. A vast rise from the admission levels in 2002/03. The highest number of admissions due to obesity were found in the age group 45 to 54 years, with over 3.1 thousand admissions in that age group.

This report presents information on obesity, physical activity and diet drawn together from a variety of sources for England. More information can be found in the source publications which contain a wider range of data and analysis. Each section provides an overview of key findings, as well as providing links to relevant documents and sources. Some of the data have been published previously by NHS Digital. A data visualisation tool (link provided within the key facts) allows users to select obesity related hospital admissions data for any Local Authority (as contained in the data tables), along with time series data from 2013/14. Regional and national comparisons are also provided. The report includes information on: Obesity related hospital admissions, including obesity related bariatric surgery. Obesity prevalence. Physical activity levels. Walking and cycling rates. Prescriptions items for the treatment of obesity. Perception of weight and weight management. Food and drink purchases and expenditure. Fruit and vegetable consumption. Key facts cover the latest year of data available: Hospital admissions: 2018/19 Adult obesity: 2018 Childhood obesity: 2018/19 Adult physical activity: 12 months to November 2019 Children and young people's physical activity: 2018/19 academic year

This statistic displays the share of overweight individuals in England in 2022, by gender and region. In this year, 74 percent of men and 63 percent of women in the North East of England were classed as overweight.

In 2022, 40 percent of women and 37 percent of men living in the North East of England were classed as obese, the highest rates for both genders. In most regions of England, around a third of adults had a BMI classed as obese.

This statistical report presents information on obesity, physical activity and diet, drawn together from a variety of sources. The topics covered include: Obesity related hospital admissions Prescription items for the treatment of obesity Adult obesity prevalence Childhood obesity prevalence Physical activity levels among adults and children Diet among adults and children, including trends in purchases, and consumption of food and drink and energy intake Each section provides an overview of the key findings from these sources, as well as providing sources of further information and links to relevant documents and sources. Some of the data have been published previously by NHS Digital. Update 25/04/17: A new data visualisation tool at the link below allows users to select obesity related hospital admissions data for any Local Authority (as contained in Excel tables 3, 7 and 11 of this publication), along with time series data from 2013/14. Regional and national comparisons are also provided. Obesity data visualisation tool This tool is in Microsoft PowerBI which does not fully support all accessibility needs. If you need further assistance, please contact us for help.

In 2022, 39 percent of men and 31 percent of women in England were classed as overweight. At first glance, it may seem that the share of overweight people in England has decreased since the year 2000, but the share of obesity in England has increased since then, indicating that England’s problem with weight has gotten worse. Strain on health service due to obesity The number of hospital admissions as a result of obesity in England has increased alongside this rise in obesity. In the period 2019/20, over eight thousand women and 2.6 thousand men were admitted to hospital. An escalation from the admission levels in 2002/03. The highest number of admissions due to obesity were found in the age group 45 to 54 years, with over 3.1 thousand admissions in that age group. Situation in Scotland In Scotland in 2020, the mean Body Mass Index of women was 27.8 and for men it was 27.5. A BMI of over 25 is classed as overweight. While the share of adults classed as obese or morbidly obese in Scotland in this year was 30 percent for women and 26 percent for men.

This statistical report presents a range of information on obesity, physical activity and diet, drawn together from a variety of sources. The topics covered include: Overweight and obesity prevalence among adults and children Physical activity levels among adults and children Trends in purchases and consumption of food and drink and energy intake Health outcomes of being overweight or obese. This report contains seven chapters which consist of the following: Chapter 1: Introduction; this summarises government policies, targets and outcome indicators in this area, as well as providing sources of further information and links to relevant documents. Chapters 2 to 6 cover obesity, physical activity and diet and provides an overview of the key findings from these sources, whilst maintaining useful links to each section of these reports. Chapter 7: Health Outcomes; presents a range of information about the health outcomes of being obese or overweight which includes information on health risks, hospital admissions and prescription drugs used for treatment of obesity. Figures presented in Chapter 7 have been obtained from a number of sources and presented in a user-friendly format. Some of the data contained in the chapter have been published previously by the NHS Information Centre (NHS IC) or the National Audit Office. Previously unpublished figures on obesity-related Finished Hospital Episodes and Finished Consultant Episodes for 2010/11 are presented using data from the NHS IC's Hospital Episode Statistics as well as data from the Prescribing Unit at the NHS IC on prescription items dispensed for treatment of obesity.

The Obesity Profile (previously named NCMP and Child Obesity Profile) displays data from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) showing the prevalence of obesity, severe obesity, overweight, healthy weight and underweight at local authority (LA), regional and national level over time; for children in Reception (aged 4 to 5 years) and Year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years).

Users can compare LA data by region or between ‘The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) nearest neighbours’ (LAs with similar characteristics).

The tool also presents inequalities in child obesity prevalence by sex, deprivation quintile and ethnic group by local authority. The profile also includes child obesity slope index of inequality (SII) for each of the 9 English regions and England.

School closures, in March 2020, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic meant that in 2019 to 2020 the number of children measured was around 75% of previous years. Analysis by NHS Digital shows that national and regional level data is reliable and comparable to previous years. The data at local authority level and below is not as robust, as a result a small number of areas do not have published data for 2019 to 2020 and data for some areas have a reliability flag indicating that figures need to be interpreted with caution. Further information is available in the Obesity Profile and in the https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/national-child-measurement-programme/2019-20-school-year">NHS Digital 2019 to 2020 annual report .

The NCMP small area data domain displays trend data on the prevalence of excess weight (overweight including obesity) and obesity for Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs), Electoral Wards, and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) with comparator data for local authorities and England.

To produce as robust an indicator as possible at small area level, the prevalence estimates use three years of NCMP data combined; the latest data is presented for 2017 to 2018 up to 2019 to 2020 combined. In the three-year grouped NCMP data for small areas we would expect around 33% of data from each contributing year. Values for areas where less than 20% of data is from 2019 to 2020 is flagged in the Obesity Profile. The percentage contribution of 2019 to 2020 data to the three-year data for each geographic area is available on the https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/national-child-measurement-programme/2019-20-school-year">NHS Digital website. The obesity, and excess weight prevalence indicators at small area level for 2017 to 2018 up to 2019 to 2020 are still considered to be reliable even with a small amount of data from 2019 to 2020.

A new domain (Adult prevalence data) has been added to this profile to display indicators on adult excess weight and obesity in early pregnancy. More indicators for other adult BMI categories will be added in 2021.

This is the percentage of year 6 children who are living with obesity and includes children who are living with severe obesity.

The BMI classification of each child is derived by calculating the child's BMI centile and assigning the BMI classification. Obese is defined as a BMI centile greater than or equal to the 95th centile. Severely obese is defined as a BMI centile greater than or equal to 99.6 (This BMI classification is a subset of the "Obese" classification).

The results are derived from the postcode of the school. Measurement of children's heights and weights, without shoes and coats and in normal, light, indoor clothing, was overseen by healthcare professionals and undertaken in school by trained staff. Measurements could be taken at any time during the academic year. Some children could be over one year older than others in the same school year at the point of measurement. This does not impact upon a child's BMI classification since BMI centile results are adjusted for age.

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) collects height and weight measurements of children in reception (aged 4-5 years) and year 6 (aged 10-11 years) primarily in mainstream state-maintained schools in England. Local authorities are mandated to collect data from mainstream state-maintained schools but collection of data from special schools (schools for pupils with special educational needs and pupil referral units) and independent schools is encouraged.

Data is Powered by LG Inform Plus and automatically checked for new data on the 3rd of each month.

This set of files contains public data used to validate the grocery data. All references to the original sources are provided below.CHILD OBESITYPeriodically, the English National Health Service (NHS) publishes statistics about various aspects of the health and habits of people living in England, including obesity. The NHS National Child Measurement (NCMP) measures the height and weight of children in Reception class (aged 4 to 5) and year 6 (aged 10 to 11), to assess overweight and obesity levels in children within primary schools. The program is carried out every year in England and statistics are produced at the level of Local Authority (that corresponds to Boroughs in London). We report the data for the school year 2015-2016 (file: child_obesity_london_borough_2015-2016.csv). For the school year 2013-2014, statistics in London are also available at ward-level (file: child_obesity_london_ward_2013-2014.csv)The files are comma-separated and contain the following fields: area_id: the id of the boroughnumber_reception_measured: number of children in reception year measurednumber_y6_measured: number of children in reception year measuredprevalence_overweight_reception: the prevalence (percentage) of overweight children in reception year prevalence_overweight_y6: the prevalence (percentage) of overweight children in year 6prevalence_obese_reception: the prevalence (percentage) of obese children in reception yearprevalence_obese_y6: the prevalence (percentage) of obese children in year 6ADULT OBESITYThe Active People Survey (APS) was a survey used to measure the number of adults taking part in sport across England and included two questions about the height and weight of participants. We report the results of the APS for the year 2012. Prevalence of underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese people at borough level are provided in the file london_obesity_borough_2012.csv.The file is comma-separated and contains the following fields: area_id: the id of the boroughnumber_measured: number of people who participated in the surveyprevalence_healthy_weight: the prevalence (percentage) of healthy-weight peopleprevalence_overweight: the prevalence (percentage) of overweight peopleprevalence_obese: the prevalence (percentage) of obese peopleBARIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONThe NHS records and publishes an annual compendium report about the number of hospital admissions attributable to obesity or bariatric surgery (i.e., weight loss surgery used as a treatment for people who are very obese), and the number of prescription items provided in primary care for the treatment of obesity. The NHS provides both raw counts at the Local Authority level and numbers normalized by population living in those areas. In the file obesity_hospitalization_borough_2016.csv, we report the statistics for the year 2015 (measurements made between Jan 2015 and March 2016).The file is comma-separated and contains the following fields:area_id: the id of the boroughtotal_hospitalizations: total number of obesity-related hospitalizationstotal_bariatric: total number of hospitalizations for bariatric surgeryprevalence_hospitalizations: prevalence (percentage) of obesity-related hospitalizations prevalence_bariatric: prevalence (percentage) of bariatric surgery hospitalizations DIABETESThrough the Quality and Outcomes Framework, NHS Digital publishes annually the number of people aged 17+ on a register for diabetes at each GP practice in England. NHS also publishes the number of people living in a census area who are registered to any of the GP in England. Based on these two sources, an estimate is produced about the prevalence of diabetes in each area. The data (file diabetes_estimates_osward_2016.csv) was collected in 2016 at LSOA-level and published at ward-level.The file is comma-separated and contains the following fields:area_id: the id of the wardgp_patients: total number of GP patients gp_patients_diabetes: total number of GP patients with a diabetes diagnosisestimated_diabetes_prevalence: prevalence (percentage) of diabetesAREA MAPPINGMapping of Greater London postcodes into larger geographical aggregations. The file is comma-separated and contains the following fields:pcd: postcodelat: latitudelong: longitudeoa11: output arealsoa11: lower super output areamsoa11: medium super output areaosward: wardoslaua: borough

SUMMARYThis analysis, designed and executed by Ribble Rivers Trust, identifies areas across England with the greatest levels of obesity in adults (aged 18+). Please read the below information to gain a full understanding of what the data shows and how it should be interpreted.ANALYSIS METHODOLOGYThe analysis was carried out using Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) data, derived from NHS Digital, relating to obesity in adults (aged 18+).This information was recorded at the GP practice level. However, GP catchment areas are not mutually exclusive: they overlap, with some areas covered by 30+ GP practices. Therefore, to increase the clarity and usability of the data, the GP-level statistics were converted into statistics based on Middle Layer Super Output Area (MSOA) census boundaries.The percentage of each MSOA’s adult population (aged 18+) that are obese was estimated. This was achieved by calculating a weighted average based on:The percentage of the MSOA area that was covered by each GP practice’s catchment areaOf the GPs that covered part of that MSOA: the percentage of registered patients that have that illness The estimated percentage of each MSOA’s adult population that are obese was then combined with Office for National Statistics Mid-Year Population Estimates (2019) data for MSOAs, to estimate the number of people in each MSOA that are obese, within the relevant age range.Each MSOA was assigned a relative score between 1 and 0 (1 = worst, 0 = best) based on:A) the PERCENTAGE of the adult population within that MSOA who are estimated to be obeseB) the NUMBER of adults within that MSOA who are estimated to be obeseAn average of scores A & B was taken, and converted to a relative score between 1 and 0 (1= worst, 0 = best). The closer to 1 the score, the greater both the number and percentage of the population in the MSOA that are estimated to be obese compared to other MSOAs. In other words, those are areas where it’s estimated a large number of people are obese, and where those people make up a large percentage of the population, indicating there is a real issue with obesity within the adult population and the investment of resources to address that issue could have the greatest benefits.LIMITATIONS1. GP data for the financial year 1st April 2018 – 31st March 2019 was used in preference to data for the financial year 1st April 2019 – 31st March 2020, as the onset of the COVID19 pandemic during the latter year could have affected the reporting of medical statistics by GPs. However, for 53 GPs (out of 7670) that did not submit data in 2018/19, data from 2019/20 was used instead. Note also that some GPs (997 out of 7670) did not submit data in either year. This dataset should be viewed in conjunction with the ‘Health and wellbeing statistics (GP-level, England): Missing data and potential outliers’ dataset, to determine areas where data from 2019/20 was used, where one or more GPs did not submit data in either year, or where there were large discrepancies between the 2018/19 and 2019/20 data (differences in statistics that were > mean +/- 1 St.Dev.), which suggests erroneous data in one of those years (it was not feasible for this study to investigate this further), and thus where data should be interpreted with caution. This dataset also shows rural areas (with little or no population) that do not officially fall into any GP catchment area and for which there were no statistics regarding adult obesity (although this will not affect the results of this analysis if there are no people living in those areas).2. It was not feasible to incorporate ultra-fine-scale geographic distribution of populations that are registered with each GP practice or who live within each MSOA. Populations might be concentrated in certain areas of a GP practice’s catchment area or MSOA and relatively sparse in other areas. Therefore, the dataset should be used to identify general areas where there are high levels of adult obesity, rather than interpreting the boundaries between areas as ‘hard’ boundaries that mark definite divisions between areas with differing levels of adult obesity.TO BE VIEWED IN COMBINATION WITH:This dataset should be viewed alongside the following datasets, which highlight areas of missing data and potential outliers in the data:Health and wellbeing statistics (GP-level, England): Missing data and potential outliersLevels of obesity, inactivity and associated illnesses (England): Missing dataDOWNLOADING THIS DATATo access this data on your desktop GIS, download the ‘Levels of obesity, inactivity and associated illnesses: Summary (England)’ dataset.DATA SOURCESThis dataset was produced using:Quality and Outcomes Framework data: Copyright © 2020, Health and Social Care Information Centre. The Health and Social Care Information Centre is a non-departmental body created by statute, also known as NHS Digital.GP Catchment Outlines. Copyright © 2020, Health and Social Care Information Centre. The Health and Social Care Information Centre is a non-departmental body created by statute, also known as NHS Digital. Data was cleaned by Ribble Rivers Trust before use.COPYRIGHT NOTICEThe reproduction of this data must be accompanied by the following statement:© Ribble Rivers Trust 2021. Analysis carried out using data that is: Copyright © 2020, Health and Social Care Information Centre. The Health and Social Care Information Centre is a non-departmental body created by statute, also known as NHS Digital.CaBA HEALTH & WELLBEING EVIDENCE BASEThis dataset forms part of the wider CaBA Health and Wellbeing Evidence Base.

This statistic displays the share of children in England aged ***** years who were classed as overweight or obese from 2007/08 to 2023/24. In 2023/24, **** percent of children aged ***** years in England were classed as overweight or obese.

Note August 2011: A number of errors have been identified in Table 7.5 - GHQ 12 score by body mass index (BMI) and gender, 2006 on page 164 of the Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet: England, 2009 report. The errors also affect the corresponding table in the accompanying Excel workbook. The commentary in the pdf report is unaffected. Please see the errata note for further information and corrected figures. The NHS IC apologises for any inconvenience this may have caused. Summary: This publication presents a range of information on obesity, physical activity and diet, drawn together from a variety of sources. This publication also summarises government plans and targets in this area, as well as providing sources of further information and links to relevant documents and key sources. This, our third report on obesity, physical activity and diet includes: overweight and obesity prevalence among adults and children physical activity levels among adults and children trends in purchases and consumption of food and drink, and energy intake and health outcomes of being overweight or obese. For the first time, the report provides information on attitudes towards and knowledge about leading a healthy lifestyle for both adults and children. This includes information on how much physical activity should be done, barriers towards doing more physical activity, knowledge of the recommended daily number of portions of fruit and vegetables and attitudes towards a healthy diet.

Historical dataset showing U.K. obesity rate by year from N/A to N/A.

Proportion of children aged 10 to 11 years classified as living with obesity. For population monitoring purposes, a child’s body mass index (BMI) is classed as overweight or obese where it is on or above the 85th centile or 95th centile, respectively, based on the British 1990 (UK90) growth reference data. The population monitoring cut offs for overweight and obesity are lower than the clinical cut offs (91st and 98th centiles for overweight and obesity) used to assess individual children; this is to capture children in the population in the clinical overweight or obesity BMI categories and those who are at high risk of moving into the clinical overweight or clinical obesity categories. This helps ensure that adequate services are planned and delivered for the whole population.

Rationale There is concern about the rise of childhood obesity and the implications of obesity persisting into adulthood. The risk of obesity in adulthood and risk of future obesity-related ill health are greater as children get older. Studies tracking child obesity into adulthood have found that the probability of children who are overweight or living with obesity becoming overweight or obese adults increases with age[1,2,3]. The health consequences of childhood obesity include: increased blood lipids, glucose intolerance, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, increases in liver enzymes associated with fatty liver, exacerbation of conditions such as asthma and psychological problems such as social isolation, low self-esteem, teasing and bullying.

It is important to look at the prevalence of weight status across all weight/BMI categories to understand the whole picture and the movement of the population between categories over time.

The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence have produced guidelines to tackle obesity in adults and children - http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG43.

1 Guo SS, Chumlea WC. Tracking of body mass index in children in relation to overweight in adulthood. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999;70(suppl): 145S-8S.

2 Serdula MK, Ivery D, Coates RJ, Freedman DS, Williamson DF, Byers T. Do obese children become obese adults? A review of the literature. Preventative Medicine 1993;22:167-77.

3 Starc G, Strel J. Tracking excess weight and obesity from childhood to young adulthood: a 12-year prospective cohort study in Slovenia. Public Health Nutrition 2011;14:49-55.

Definition of numerator Number of children in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) with a valid height and weight measured by the NCMP with a BMI classified as living with obesity or severe obesity (BMI on or above 95th centile of the UK90 growth reference).

Definition of denominator Number of children in year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years) with a valid height and weight measured by the NCMP.

Caveats Data for local authorities may not match that published by NHS England which are based on the local authority of the school attended by the child or based on the local authority that submitted the data. There is a strong correlation between deprivation and child obesity prevalence and users of these data may wish to examine the pattern in their local area. Users may wish to produce thematic maps and charts showing local child obesity prevalence. When presenting data in charts or maps it is important, where possible, to consider the confidence intervals (CIs) around the figures. This analysis supersedes previously published data for small area geographies and historically published data should not be compared to the latest publication. Estimated data published in this fingertips tool is not comparable with previously published data due to changes in methods over the different years of production. These methods changes include; moving from estimated numbers at ward level to actual numbers; revision of geographical boundaries (including ward boundary changes and conversion from 2001 MSOA boundaries to 2011 boundaries); disclosure control methodology changes. The most recently published data applies the same methods across all years of data. There is the potential for error in the collection, collation and interpretation of the data (bias may be introduced due to poor response rates and selective opt out of children with a high BMI for age/sex which it is not possible to control for). There is not a good measure of response bias and the degree of selective opt out, but participation rates (the proportion of eligible school children who were measured) may provide a reasonable proxy; the higher the participation rate, the less chance there is for selective opt out, though this is not a perfect method of assessment. Participation rates for each local authority are available in the https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/national-child-measurement-programme/data#page/4/gid/8000022/ of this profile.

This statistic displays the prevalence of childhood obesity* in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1975 to 2016, by gender. At the beginning of this time series, female children in the UK were more likely to be obese than males. This changed in 1995, when the obesity rates for both male and female children in the UK equaled eight percent. As of 2016, 12.7 percent of male children are considered obese, compared to 10.2 percent of female children. It is also notable that the obesity rate in female children has declined from a high point of 10.4 percent in 2010.

The spreadsheet contains regional level obesity trend data from the the HSE, BMI data from Understanding Society, and adjusted prevalence of underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity by local authority from the Active People Survey. Understanding Society data shows the percentage of the population aged 10 and over by their Body Mass Index Classification, covering underweight, normal weight, overweight, and three classes of obesity. Questions on self-reported height and weight were added to the Sport England Active People Survey (APS) in January 2012 to provide data for monitoring excess weight (overweight including obesity, BMI ≥25kg/m2) in adults (age 16 and over) at local authority level for the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF). Health Survey for England (HSE) results at a national level are available on the NHS Information Centre website. Other NHS indicators on obesity are available for Strategic Health Authorities (SHA). Relevant links: http://discover.ukdataservice.ac.uk/series/?sn=2000053 http://www.noo.org.uk/visualisation/adult_obesity