Obesity in the UK is a significant public health concern, with rising rates over the past few decades. It is characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat, typically measured by a Body Mass Index (BMI) .

In the UK it’s estimated that around 1 in every 4 adults and around 1 in every 5 children aged 10 to 11 are living with obesity.

How to Determine if You Are Living with Obesity

The most common method to assess if you are at a healthy weight is by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI).

You can use the NHS BMI healthy weight calculator to find out your BMI.

For most adults, if your BMI is:

• • below 18.5 – you’re in the underweight range
• • 18.5 to 24.9 – you’re in the healthy weight range
• • 25 to 29.9 – you’re in the overweight range
• • 30 to 39.9 – you’re in the obese range
• • 40 or above – you’re in the severely obese range

If you have an Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean background, you should use a lower BMI threshold to assess overweight and obesity:

• • 23 to 27.4 – you’re in the overweight range
• • 27.5 or above – you’re in the obese range

BMI has some limitations as it measures whether a person is carrying too much weight, not specifically too much fat. For example, very muscular individuals, such as professional athletes, may have a high BMI without having much fat. However, for most people, BMI is a useful indicator of a healthy weight.

Another method for assessing excess fat is by measuring your waist size. According to the NHS, men with a waist measurement of 94 cm or more and women with a waist measurement of 80 cm or more are generally at a higher risk of developing health problems related to obesity.

What are the causes of  being over weight

Obesity is a complex issue with various causes. It occurs when excess calories, especially from high-fat and high-sugar foods, are stored in the body as fat. The prevalence of obesity has increased due to modern environments that make it challenging to maintain a healthy diet and engage in sufficient physical activity.

Genetics also play a role in obesity for some individuals, influencing how the body processes food and stores fat. Additionally, certain underlying health conditions, such as an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), can contribute to weight gain. However, these conditions typically do not lead to significant weight problems if properly managed with medication.

Contributing factors include poor diet, lack of physical activity, genetic predisposition, and socioeconomic factors.

Furthermore, some medications, including steroids and treatments for high blood pressure, diabetes, or mental health conditions, can increase the likelihood of weight gain.

What are the risk factors of being over weight

Excess weight can increase the risk of various health conditions, including coronary heart disease, stroke, certain cancers (such as breast and bowel cancer), and type 2 diabetes. It can also worsen symptoms of existing conditions like asthma and negatively affect mental health and self-esteem.

Being severely overweight can lead to health problems that affect your daily activities, including:

What are the treatments for weight loss

The best way to treat obesity is to eat a healthy reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly.

Follow a balanced, calorie-controlled diet as recommended by a GP or a weight loss management professional, such as a dietitian.

Take up activities such as fast walking, jogging, swimming, or tennis for 150 to 300 minutes (2.5 to 5 hours) per week.

Joining a local weight management program with group meetings or online support might be beneficial. Your GP can provide information about these options.

If you have obesity and lifestyle and behavioural changes alone do not help you lose weight, our professional healthcare  may recommend a medication to you.