Facts and figures on obesity
A global epidemic
There are 1 billion overweight and obese people in the world. 155 million of them are children (3 million in the UK and 25 million in the USA). Obesity levels have quadrupled in 25 years. (World Health Organisation)
Why?
Research suggests that the main reason for the growing obesity epidemic is a combination of lack of activity and eating high calorie foods. Also, a general lack of awareness about healthy foods means that children and their parents make poor food choices.
In 2006, only two in three boys and half of girls met the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity set by the Chief Medical Officer. (Information Centre 2008)
Obesity in the UK
It is estimated that over half of all UK adults are overweight or obese - approximately 24 million adults.
The Foresight Report (2007) predicted that – without action - two-thirds of children will be overweight or obese by 2050. The report stated that we are facing a public health problem, comparable with climate change in scale and complexity.
The financial cost
In the UK, obesity levels have trebled since the 1980s and place a heavy financial burden on the NHS and the economy.
Experts predict that, left unchecked, overweight and obesity will cost the UK economy £50 billion a year by 2050 - with devastating social and health consequences (Foresight Report, 2007).
The US Government has forecasted that by 2012, healthcare costs will outstrip GDP growth and account for 17.7% of GDP. The small number of chronic diseases associated with obesity – diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases – already account for 75% of US medical care costs (US Department of Health & Human Sciences, 2003).
UK Government targets on child obesity
Pre-2007: To halt the year on year rise in child obesity in the under-11s by 2010
SInce September 2007: By 2020, to have reduced the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels
Childhood obesity in England
Almost a quarter of 3 year olds are overweight or obese (23.7%).
Almost a third (31%) of all children between the ages of 2 and 10 are overweight or obese.
More than a third of children aged 11-15 years (35.1%) are overweight or obese.
(Millennium Cohort Study 2007)
Childhood obesity in Scotland
More than a third (34%) of boys and almost a third (30%) of girls aged 2 - 15 are overweight or obese.
Of these overweight and obese children, just under one in five (18%) of boys and more than one in 10 (14%) of girls are classified as obese.
(Scottish Health Survey 2003)
Childhood obesity in Wales
At present, there are no comparable figures available but The Welsh Health Survey is collecting details on children's health from 2007 onwards. To find out more, click on this link
