Being overweight can have a serious impact on your health. Guidelines from the WHO indicate that 1 in 3 of the world’s adult population is overweight, and 1 in 10 is obese. Carrying extra fat, being overweight and obese increase your risk factors for developing other long-term health problems such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and some cancers.
- In 2006, 24% of adults (aged 16+) in England were classified as obese. This represents an overall increase from 15% in 1993.
- Men and women were equally likely to be obese, however women were more likely than men to be morbidly obese.
- 37% of adults had a raised waist circumference in 2006 compared to 23% in 1993. Women were more likely than men to have a raised waist circumference (41% and 32% respectively).
Between 1993 and 2006, the proportion of adults with a raised waist circumference also increased, from 23% to 37%.
Government predictions have suggested that obesity will rise even further in the future. By 2015 among adults, over a third of men and almost 3 in 10 women are predicted to be obese.
The main source of data on the prevalence of obesity is the Health Survey for England (HSE). The HSE is an annual survey designed to monitor the health of the population of England.
The good news is that being overweight and obese is preventable. Are you willing to make the changes? The first key to success in achieving weight and fat loss:
Boost your physical activity. The difference in the way that you look and feel will be dramatic and
will only take a matter of days! Achieve a balance between calories consumed, and calories used
for energy. The type of foods being consumed should also be addressed. It’s not just about how
much or how little you eat! The quality and correct balance of your food is vital for health. If you
continue to fill your stomach with junk, sugar and highly processed foods, you will be on a
rollercoaster of consuming empty calories that will be stored as fat.
