Obesity rates in England are starting to plateau for the first time in two decades, NHS figures reveal.
The number of children who are overweight has fallen to the lowest level since 2000, while obesity rates in adults have remained stable for the past five years
Published this week, the annual data measured the height and weight of 9,000 adults and children across England to record their body mass index (BMI).
Almost one third (27%) of children aged two to 15 were found to be overweight or obese – marking the lowest level since 2000. It is also down from 30% in 2019 and a peak of 34% in 2004.
In 2022, 29% of adults were living with obesity, and 64% were overweight or living with obesity. This has remained stable since 2019, where 28% were living with obesity and 64% overweight or living with obesity.
The NHS in England typically spends £6.5 billion a year on treating obesity-related ill health.
Obesity rates show ‘importance of support’
Dr Clare Hambling is NHS national clinical director for diabetes and obesity. She said: ‘Obesity is one of the biggest threats to health in the UK – it affects every human organ system and can have a major impact on people’s lives.
‘Obesity increases people’s risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, mental ill health and many other illnesses which can lead to shorter lives, or affect quality of life, with greater need for healthcare.
‘Today’s figures show the importance of supporting people who are overweight or living with obesity to reach a healthier weight. The NHS can play its part in that, alongside local councils, but we need to work with the rest of society to tackle the issues that contribute to obesity to help people remain as healthy as possible.’
Restricting access to obesity treatment
Research shows that the NHS is restricting access to obesity services across England. Patients are struggling to secure appointments for support and treatments, including weight loss injections.
The data reveals that patients in nearly half the country are unable to get appointments with specialist teams for weight-loss support and care. In addition, in nearly one in five local health areas, patients don’t have access to a bariatric surgery service.
An investigation by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) gathered responses from all 42 of England’s Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). These are responsible for planning the health services for their local population, including weight loss services.
Just over half of the ICBs (24 out of the 42) commission both tier 3 and 4 adult weight loss services that cover their entire population and are accepting new referrals. However, more than one third of ICBs (15) reported problems with tier 3 services, with six saying they were currently closed to new patients.
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