How obese will English adults be in 2020?

A summary of a recent report from the National Heart ForumHeart Forum

Ray Algar Oxygen ConsultingFebruary 2010

In a nutshell: The report forecasts obesity trends for English adults at 2020

Where is the data drawn from? The authors have analysed data from the Health Survey for England (1993 – 2007)

What is the picture at 2020?

Males and females with a body mass index greater than 30 continues to rise

How is body mass index defined?

Divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared

I’m confused; give me an example?

Well, I weigh 91 kilograms and I’m 1.85 metres tall

This means my Body Mass Index is 24.5 (91 kgs/3.7)

So, how is obese defined?

This is when your Body Mass Index is greater than 30

If you’re male, the news is worse

English men are becoming obese at a faster rate than women

If you are a male and will be aged 40-65 in the year 2020, then the news gets worse still

This group is becoming obese at a faster rate

Oh dear: I’ve just this realised I’m part of this group!

…some good news; my wife, who is a similar age to me, is also in a group with rising levels of obesity!

Why does obesity matter?

…because it makes us more susceptible to ‘lifestyle’ diseases such as…

Coronary heart disease

Diabetes

Stroke

High blood pressure

Certain types of cancers

In the year 2020, 34% of English males will be obese

2020

In the year 2020, 30% of females will be obese

2020

…rising to 66% for men & 61% of women when we include those that are overweight (on the path to obesity)

How has the report been received by the general public?

Here are some comments from websites

“We have taken personal responsibility away and replaced it with State responsibility, then

intervention” intervention” (benevolentdictator)

“My personal opinion is that the food & intensive production methods we eat is to blame. Long term vegans & Long term vegans & vegetarians are seldom overweight” (Dave B)

”And still many people try to blame obesity on genes” (KJ)

What do the report authors have to say?

'There are already more men who are obese than who are of a healthy weight and by the end of the decade obese men and women could out-number those women could out-number those who are overweightProf McPherson - Oxford University

So, if you are part of the group described in this report, what will you now do to stop becoming a researcher's statistic?

You can read the report at (heartforum.org.uk)

About Ray Algar: I provide strategic insight to organisations connected to the global health and fitness industry. I can be contacted at: insight@oxygen-consulting.co.uk

…that’s all, must RUN!