Overweight and obesity

• 68% of men and 60% of women in England were overweight. This included 27% of men and 29% of women who were obese.
• In 2019, 18% of girls and 13% of boys aged 2 to 15 were obese.
• Children’s overweight and obesity was associated with that of their parents.

Eating disorders

• 16% of adults screened positive for a possible eating disorder.
• 4% of adults reported their feelings about food interfered with aspects of their life.

Smoking

• In 2019, 16% of adults were current smokers of cigarettes.
• 6% of adults were current users of e-cigarettes.
• The proportion of children aged 8 to 15 who had ever smoked a cigarette was 4% in 2019.
• 9% of 8 to 15 year olds had used an e-cigarette.

Alcohol consumption

• In 2019, 19% of adults drank at increased or higher risk of harm (more than 14 units per week).
• 35% of children aged 13 to 15 reported having ever had a proper alcoholic drink. Small proportions of younger children had tried drinking: 1% aged 8 to 10 and 9% aged 11 to 12.

Providing care for family and friends

• In 2019, 17% of adults provided unpaid care to at least one person.
• 55% of those providing care received no help or support.

Adults’ health

• In 2019, 14% of men and 11% of women had untreated hypertension (high blood pressure).
• The proportion of adults with raised total cholesterol decreased from 1998 to 2019 for both men (66% to 40%) and women (67% to 45%).

Use of health care services

• In 2019, 69% of men and 82% of women had consulted a GP in the last 12 months.
• 84% of adults had consulted the GP for solely a physical health problem compared to 5% for a mental health, nervous or emotional problem.

Download the HSE 2019 Summary report here.