Official Statistics

Obesity Profile: short statistical commentary May 2023

Published 3 May 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/obesity-profile-update-may-2023/obesity-profile-short-statistical-commentary-may-2023

1. New in this update

The following indicators have been revised and updated:

2. Summary

This statistical commentary provides background information on the revised and updated indicators in the Obesity Profile on Fingertips and presents England level data.

The Obesity Profile also includes England level data on inequalities for these indicators, displaying data by index of multiple deprivation decile, ethnic group, working status, disability, level of education, socioeconomic class, age and sex.

3. Percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as overweight or obese

In 2021 to 2022, 63.8% of adults aged 18 years and over in England were estimated to be overweight or living with obesity. This was an increase from 2020 to 2021 (63.3%).

In 2021 to 2022, the prevalence of adults who are overweight or living with obesity remained lower among women (58.4%) than men (69.1%).

The prevalence of adults who are overweight or living with obesity varies by age in England, with adults aged between 45 and 84 years having a higher estimated prevalence than the England average.

When looking at different ethnic groups, the prevalence of adults who are overweight or living with obesity remains highest amongst those who identified as black (70.8%) or white British (65.2%).

4. Percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as obese

In 2021 to 2022, 25.9% of adults aged 18 years and over in England were estimated to be living with obesity. This was an increase from 2020 to 2021 (25.2%).

In 2021 to 2022, the prevalence of adults living with obesity remained similar among women (26.1%) and men (25.8%).

The prevalence of adults living with obesity varies by age in England, with adults aged between 45 and 74 years having a higher estimated prevalence than the England average.

When looking at different ethnic groups, the prevalence of adults living with obesity remains highest amongst those who identified as black (33.7%) or white British (27.3%).

5. Revisions

The May 2023 update included a full revision of the data for the percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as overweight or obese and the percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as obese indicators, with all previously published data overwritten. This was required as the adjustments applied to the self-reported height and weight data have been updated and published by NHS Digital in the Health Survey for England predicting height, weight and body mass index from self-reported data report.

The updated adjustments for height and weight have been applied to the new data point (November 2021 to 2022) and the whole back series (November 2015 to 2016 to November 2020 to 2021). A review of the estimates indicates that for both indicators at England level the values have changed no more than plus or minus 0.2 percentage points. At local authority level for the November 2020 to 2021 estimates, most values remain the same and any changes were no more than plus or minus 1.4 percentage points.

6. Further information

Obesity is a global and complex public health concern. It is associated with reduced life expectancy and is a risk factor for a range of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, at least 12 kinds of cancer, liver, and respiratory disease, and can also impact on mental health.

The best indicator of obesity prevalence for adults comes from the Health Survey for England, which uses measured heights and weights to calculate body mass index (BMI). However, the survey sample size is not sufficient to produce robust estimates at local level.

The obesity related indicators being published here present local authority estimates from Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey data to help inform local action in preventing obesity and supporting people who are overweight or living with obesity. The indicators use self-reported heights and weights which are adjusted so that they more accurately predicted measured values. The sample size is also sufficiently robust to produce estimates at local level. A detailed description of the methods used to produce the indicators can be found in the definitions data view of the indicators in the Obesity Profile.

Responsible statistician, product lead: Craig Timpson

For queries relating to this document, please contact: PHA-OHID@dhsc.gov.uk

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