Obesity prevalence by gender in England 2022

The prevalence of obesity among adults in England has been generally been trending upwards since 2000. In that year, 21 percent of men and women in England were classified as obese. However, by 2022 this share was 30 percent among women and 28 percent among men.

Obesity causing strain on health service

As the prevalence of obesity is increasing in England, the number of hospital admissions as a result of obesity has also increased. In the period 2019/20, around eight thousand women and nearly 2.7 thousand men were admitted to hospital. A huge rise from the admission levels fifteen years previously. The highest number of admissions due to obesity were found in the age group 45 to 54 years, with over 3.1 thousand admissions in that age group.

Situation in Scotland

In Scotland in 2022, the mean Body Mass Index of women was 28.1 and for men it was 27.9. A BMI of over 25 is classed as overweight. While the prevalence of obesity or morbid obesity in Scotland in 2020 was 30 percent among women and 26 percent among men.

Obesity prevalence among individuals in England from 2000 to 2022, by gender

Characteristic	Men	Women
2022	28%	30%
2021	25%	26%
2019	27%	29%
2018	26%	29%
2017	27%	30%
2016	26%	27%
2015	27%	27%
2014	24%	27%
2013	26%	24%
2012	24%	25%
2011	24%	26%
2010	26%	26%
2009	22%	24%
2008	24%	25%
2007	24%	24%
2006	24%	24%
2005	22%	24%
2004	23%	23%
2003	22%	23%
2002	22%	23%
2001	21%	23%
2000	21%	21%

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Release date

September 2024

More information

Region

United Kingdom (England)

Survey time period

2000 to 2022

Number of respondents

4,542*

Age group

16 years and older

Special properties

interviewer measured except for 2021 which was self-reported

Method of interview

Face-to-face interview

Supplementary notes

* Weighted bases 2021: n (men) = 2,256. n (women)= 2,287. In years before 2003, data were not weighted for non-response.
Obese, including morbidly obese is defined as having a BMI of 30 or more.

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