Adult overweight and obesity
This report examines the prevalence of overweight and obesity in England in 2016. It compares the prevalence of overweight and obesity in different population groups by age, sex, region and area deprivation. Adults’ perceptions of their weight, desire to lose weight and weight management behaviours are examined.
Highlights
- 26% of men and 27% of women in England were obese, and a further 40% of men and 30% of women were overweight. 2% of men and 4% of women were morbidly obese.
- Obesity prevalence varied with area deprivation in women but not in men. 38% of women in the most deprived areas were obese, compared with 20% of women in the least deprived ares.
- Although women were less likely than men to be overweight or obese, they were more likely than men to say they were too heavy (50% and 40% respectively). Women were also more likely than men to be trying to lose weight (54% and 39% respectively).
- Participants were asked about their use of aids or services to help manage or change their weight. 39% of participants were using one of the aids or services asked about, most commonly going to the gym or doing exercise (29%). The next most commonly mentioned aids were websites or mobile phone apps (8%) and activity trackers or fitness monitors (6%).
- Half of people who reported they were trying to lose weight were not using any of the aids or support asked about.