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 2021 this share was 26 percent among women and 25 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 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 prevalence of obesity or morbid obesity in Scotland in this year was 30 percent among women and 26 percent among men.
Obesity prevalence among individuals in England from 2000 to 2021, by gender
interviewer measured except for 2021 which was self-reported
Method of interview
Face-to-face interview
Supplementary notes
* Weighted bases 2021: n (men) = 2,664. n (women)= 2,690. In years before 2003, data were not weighted for non-response. Obese, including morbidly obese is defined as having a BMI of 30 or more.
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NHS Digital. (December 15, 2022). Obesity prevalence among individuals in England from 2000 to 2021, by gender [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/334126/obesity-prevalence-by-gender-in-england-uk/
NHS Digital. "Obesity prevalence among individuals in England from 2000 to 2021, by gender." Chart. December 15, 2022. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/334126/obesity-prevalence-by-gender-in-england-uk/
NHS Digital. (2022). Obesity prevalence among individuals in England from 2000 to 2021, by gender. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/334126/obesity-prevalence-by-gender-in-england-uk/
NHS Digital. "Obesity Prevalence among Individuals in England from 2000 to 2021, by Gender." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Dec 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/334126/obesity-prevalence-by-gender-in-england-uk/
NHS Digital, Obesity prevalence among individuals in England from 2000 to 2021, by gender Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/334126/obesity-prevalence-by-gender-in-england-uk/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Obesity prevalence among individuals in England from 2000 to 2021, by gender [Graph], NHS Digital, December 15, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/334126/obesity-prevalence-by-gender-in-england-uk/