• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Trends over time
  • Contextual factors
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Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2019

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6681
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2019 available at http://digital.nhs.uk/pubs/hse2019 (last accessed 16.12.20)
Notes:The Health Survey for England 2021 data for adults is now available. However, as the data was self-report it has not been uploaded on the Observatory. The data can be accessed here https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2021
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2018

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6704
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2018. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2018/health-survey-for-england-2018-data-tables (last accessed 03.012.19)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6530
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2017 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2017 (last accessed 4.12.18)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6566
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2016. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30169 (last accessed 13 December 2017)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6836
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2015. Available at: http://content.digital.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=23711&returnid=1685 (last accessed 14th December 2016)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2014

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6943
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2014 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB19297 (last accessed 16th December 2015)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2013

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:7451
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2013
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2012

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6970
Area covered:National
References:Health survey for England 2012 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13219
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2011

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:7008
Area covered:National (ENGLAND)
References:Health Survey for England 2011 (http://www.ic.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=10152&returnid=1685 last accessed 7th January 2013)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2010

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6987
Area covered:National (England)
References:Health Survey for England 2010
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2009

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:4100
Area covered:England - National
References:Health Survey for England 2009
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2008

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:12835
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2008.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2007

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:5991
Area covered:National
References:Craig R and Shelton N. (2008). Health Survey for England 2007. Healthy Lifestyles: Knowledge, attitudes and Behaviour. Volume 1. The NHS Information Centre, Leeds.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2006

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:12088
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2006.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2005

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6328
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2005.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2004

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:5584
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2004.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2003

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:13089
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2003.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2002

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6478
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2002.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2001

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:13681
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2001.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2000

Survey type:Measured
Age:20-84
Sample size:6963
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2000.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1999

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:6903
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 1999.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1998

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:14330
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 1998.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1997

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:7939
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 1997.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1996

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:15061
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 1996.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1995

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:14436
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 1995.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1994

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:14679
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 1994.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1993

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Sample size:15284
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 1993.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1981

Survey type:Measured
Age:16+
Area covered:National
References:Royal College of Physicians (1983). Obesity. Reprinted from the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London Vol 17 (No 1) January 1983
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2019

Survey type:Measured
Age:2-15
Sample size:1392
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2019 available at http://digital.nhs.uk/pubs/hse2019 (last accessed 16.12.20)
Definitions:85/95th UK Centiles
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2018

Survey type:Measured
Age:2-15
Sample size:2671
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2018
Definitions:Not International IOTF Cut off. Overweight was defined as at or above the 85th but below the 95th UK National BMI percentile Obesity was defined as at or above the 95th UK National BMI percentile
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:2-15
Sample size:2581
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2017 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2017 (last accessed 4.12.18)
Definitions:Not International IOTF Cut off. Overweight was defined as at or above the 85th but below the 95th UK National BMI percentile Obesity was defined as at or above the 95th UK National BMI percentile
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Age:2-15
Sample size:1334
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2016. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30169 (Last Accessed 13 December 2017)
Definitions:85th and 95th Centile
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:2-15
Sample size:4467
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2015
Definitions:85th & 95th Centile
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2014

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-15
Sample size:992
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2014, Data analysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation
Notes:Boys aged 6-15 yrs 32.1% combined overweight, 20.7% overweight, 11.4% obesity Girls aged 6-15yrs 32% combined overweight, 23.3% overweight, 8.7% obesity
Definitions:Graphics use IOTF international cut off point Using WHO Cut off
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 2013

Survey type:Measured
Age:2-15
Sample size:63134
Area covered:National
References:HSE 2013. http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB16076/HSE2013-Ch11-Child-BMI.pdf
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2012

Survey type:Measured
Age:5-17
Sample size:1197
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England
Definitions:IOTF International Cut off. Weighted to WHO World Standard
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 2009

Survey type:Measured
Age:5-17
Sample size:2862
Area covered:National
References:Health Survey for England 2009
Notes:IOTF Cut off points - reanalysed unweighted results. Weighted results will be made available in the future
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 2007

Survey type:Measured
Age:5-17
Sample size:5086
Area covered:National (England)
References:Health Survey for England 2007
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 2005

Survey type:Measured
Age:2-15
Sample size:63134
Area covered:National
References:HSE 2013. http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB16076/HSE2013-Ch11-Child-BMI.pdf
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2001-2002

Survey type:Measured
Age:5-15
Sample size:8867
References:Department of Health. The Health of Children and Young People
Notes:Boys = 4465 Girls = 4402
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 1995

Survey type:Measured
Age:2-15
Sample size:63134
Area covered:National
References:HSE 2013. http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB16076/HSE2013-Ch11-Child-BMI.pdf
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 1994

Survey type:Measured
Age:4-11
Sample size:30755
References:Chinn S, Rona RJ. Prevalence and trends inoverweight and obesity in three cross sectional studies of British children, 1974-94. BMJ (2001);322:24-26
Notes:Sample size = boys and girls from England and Scotland included over the duration of the study. Number per year not specified.
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 1984

Survey type:Measured
Age:4-11
Sample size:30755
References:Chinn S, Rona RJ. Prevalence and trends inoverweight and obesity in three cross sectional studies of British children, 1974-94. BMJ (2001);322:24-26
Notes:Sample size = boys and girls from England and Scotland included over the duration of the study. Number per year not specified.
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 1974

Survey type:Measured
Age:4-11
Sample size:30755
References:Chinn S, Rona RJ. Prevalence and trends inoverweight and obesity in three cross sectional studies of British children, 1974-94. BMJ (2001);322:24-26
Notes:30755 boys and girls from England and Scotland included over the duration of the study. Number per year not specified.
Cutoffs:IOTF

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