What is the prevalence of excess weight in England and how can it affect people’s health?

In England, the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) ((1), (2) and the Health Survey for England 3 monitor body weight for children and adults, respectively. The Obesity Profile tool presents the latest available data to help understand and monitor the patterns and trends in obesity at national, regional and local levels for adults and children ((1). Where available, it can show the proportion of people living with obesity by ethnic group, level of education, age, sex and socioeconomic status.

Findings from the 2023/24 National Child Measurement Programme show that around 1 in 5 (22.1%) children who begin school in reception year (age 4 to 5 years) are already living with overweight or obesity.

This increases to 2 in 5 (35.8%) children in year 6 (age 10 to 11 years) ((1), (2). Children and young people living with excess weight are more at risk of living with overweight or obesity as adults, increasing their risk of preventable illnesses (3), (4), (5). Nearly two-thirds (64%) of adults are living with overweight or obesity.

Evidence indicates that excess weight in childhood tracks into young adulthood. This is why the government obesity strategy (6) has largely focused on improving children’s weight and placed the emphasis on not only establishing healthy behaviours in childhood, but also achieving and maintaining a healthy weight throughout the life course.

Why is it important to prevent obesity and help people achieve and maintain a healthier weight?

The consequences of living with excess weight are far-reaching in terms of physical and mental health.

Living with obesity can increase the risk of preventable diseases including type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart attacks and stroke (7). Obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK (8) and increases the risk of some types of cancer (such as breast cancer or bowel cancer). In terms of mental health, childhood obesity impacts self-esteem and quality of life (9). In adolescence, it has been associated with depression (10), (11).

In 2020, research undertaken by Public Health England found that living with obesity increases the risk of severe complications of COVID-19 including hospital admission, intensive care unit admission and death (12).

Helping people living with overweight or obesity to achieve or maintain a healthier weight is complex and requires a range of actions at both a national and local level (13).