Impacts of obesity
Obesity presents a significant threat to the health of the UK population and a significant drain on the nation's financial resources. 24.9% of adults in England are obese—with a body mass index of over 30—62% of adults are either overweight or obese (with a BMI of over 25), and 32% of 10–11-year-olds are overweight or obese. The annual cost of obesity to the UK is estimated to be £27bn–£46bn [1], [2]; although international comparisons suggest that the true cost could be significantly higher.

Source: Public Health England – Obesity

If the historic trends persist, one in three people will be obese by 2034 [6] (see chart below); although there are encouraging signs that the trend appears to have levelled off in children and may be levelling off among younger adults (reflecting, perhaps, the systemic progress being made in recent years). [8]

Nonetheless, the absolute level of obesity remains very high and England (along with the rest of the UK) ranks as one of the most obese nations in the world; there are no signs yet of a sustained decline, and (as obesity tends to increase with age) the UK's ageing population remains a concern.

Immediately related elementsHow this works
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Tackling obesity in the UK »Tackling obesity in the UK
Impacts of obesity
A profound impact on the health of the population »A profound impact on the health of the population
A potentially unsustainable financial burden on the health system »A potentially unsustainable financial burden on the health system
1 in 4 UK adults are obese »1 in 4 UK adults are obese
1 in 5 UK children aged 10-11 are obese »1 in 5 UK children aged 10-11 are obese
UK's obesity rate ranks 132 out of 161 countries »UK's obesity rate ranks 132 out of 161 countries
The Obesity Paradox: higher BMI may not always be bad »The Obesity Paradox: higher BMI may not always be bad
Crisis fatigue and despondency about the potential for change »Crisis fatigue and despondency about the potential for change
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