Around one in eight children between the ages of two and 10 in England are obese, according to an NHS survey.
The Health Survey for England 2022, part 2, published this week, found that 12% of children between two and 10 were obese in 2022, and 19% aged between 11 and 15. While the figure for two to 10 year olds has remained flat at 12% since 2019, the 11-15 figure is down from 24% in 2019.
The survey also looked at adults and found that 64% were overweight or obese in 2022, which is the same figure as 2019. It showed that slightly more men were overweight or obese (67%) than women (64%).
Obesity prevalence was shown to be highest among adults and children living in the most deprived areas.
Dr Clare Hambling, NHS national clinical director for diabetes and obesity, said: ‘Obesity is one of the biggest threats to health in the UK – it affects every human organ system and can have a major impact on people’s lives.
‘Obesity increases people’s risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, mental ill health and many other illnesses which can lead to shorter lives, or affect quality of life, with greater need for healthcare.
‘Today’s figures show the importance of supporting people who are overweight or living with obesity to reach a healthier weight. The NHS can play its part in that, alongside local councils, but we need to work with the rest of society to tackle the issues that contribute to obesity to help people remain as healthy as possible.’
The survey also found that 41% of adults had at least one longstanding illness or condition, compared to 43% in 2019, and the proportion of adults with raised cholesterol was 53%, an increase from 43% in 2019.
In May, it was announced that the NHS type 2 diabetes path to remission programme would be expanded to cover all ICB areas, doubling its reach from last year.
Part one of the Health Survey found that the number of 8-15 year-old children trying cigarettes had fallen to 3% in 2022, compared to 19% in 1997.
