Obesity
Obesity is a major cause of ill health in the UK. Nursing and midwifery staff have a key role in supporting people to maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity is a growing concern across the UK. In 2022, results of an analysis published by Cancer Research UK estimated that more than 21 million UK adults will be obese by 2040. This is equivalent to almost 4 in 10 of the UK adult population (36%).
Additionally, the costs relating to obesity across the UK is projected to reach £9.7 billion by 2050.
It is difficult to assess the specific effect of obesity on mortality and morbidity, however, we do know that it is a contributory risk factor to general morbidity and premature death.
Definition of obesity
The World Health Organization's definition of obesity is a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.
The BMI is the most used measure for adults in the UK. It is the same for both sexes and across all ages and as such provides the most useful population-level indicator of overweight (BMI of 25 or above) and obesity.
However, it should only be used as a guide and does not account for muscle mass or for fat distribution which varies between individuals. In children and adolescents, the British 1990 growth reference charts are used to classify the weight status of children according to their age and sex because the BMI will vary depending on these factors.
The NHS provides a useful tool for measuring obesity.
Health problems associated with morbid obesity may include:
- hypertension
- heart disease
- raised cholesterol levels
- type 2 diabetes
- respiratory problems
- gastroesophageal reflux
- urinary stress incontinence
- degenerative arthritis
- cancer
- skin infections
- sleep disturbance
- infertility.
There are also serious psychological and social repercussions from being overweight or obese.
From April 2013, local responsibility for the prevention and management of obesity in England transferred to local authorities.
Useful resources
England
- In a 2020 strategy, the Department of Health and Social Care set out the actions it would take to tackle obesity and help adults and children to live healthier lives. See: Tackling obesity: government strategy (2020).
- Public Health England (2019). Health matters: whole systems approach to obesity: A professional resource for local authorities and their local systems partners
- NHS England. Change 4 Life advice on diet and physical activity
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. The Eatwell Guide (2016)
Scotland
- Public Health Scotland (2023). Improving how we communicate about health and obesity in Scotland
- Public Health Scotland (2022). Diet and health weight
Wales
- Public Health Wales. Overweight and obesity
Northern Ireland
- Department of Health, Northern Ireland. Obesity prevention
- Department of Health, Northern Ireland (2023). Obesity consultations launched
Public health NICE guidance
- NICE guidance (PH53). Managing overweight and obesity in adults – lifestyle weight management services. Recommendations on the provision of effective multi-component lifestyle weight management services for adults (18 or over) who are overweight or obese.
- NICE guidance (PH47). Managing overweight and obesity among children and young people: lifestyle weight management services. Recommendations on lifestyle weight management (sometimes called tier 2) services for overweight and obese children and young people aged under 18.
- NICE guidance (PH42). Obesity: working with local communities. Supports effective, sustainable and community-wide action to prevent obesity. It sets out how local communities, with support from local organisations and networks, can achieve this.
- NICE guidance (NG69). Eating disorders: recognition and treatment. Guidance covering the key points around what eating disorders are, how they are identified, and the methods available to manage them.
- NICE quality standard (QS111). Obesity in adults: prevention and lifestyle weight management programmes. This quality standard covers ways of preventing adults becoming overweight or obese and the provision of lifestyle weight management programmes for adults who are overweight or obese.
RCN resources
Other resources
- Department of Health and Social Care (2019) Time to solve childhood obesity: an independent report by the Chief Medical Officer. This report calls for action across industry and the public sector to help the Government reach its target of halving childhood obesity by 2030
- Department of Health. Start active, stay active: infographics on physical activity
- E-learning for health portal on All Our Health: Adult Obesity. If you haven’t already done so you need to create a free e-learning account.
- Obesity Health Alliance. A coalition of over 30 organisations working together to influence Government policy on overweight and obesity.
- Royal College of General Practitioners. Nutrition and obesity
- WHO (2024). Obesity and overweight
Page last updated - 08/10/2024
