Obesity

Obesity has been identified as a serious public health challenge globally and as a major determinant of disability and death. Estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO) report on obesity in May 2022, suggest that obesity causes more than 1.2 million deaths across the European region every year. This means that obesity is the fourth highest cause of death after high blood pressure, dietary risks and tobacco, corresponding to more than 13% of total deaths.

The fundamental cause of overweight and obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed versus calories expended. However, obesity is an incredibly complex issue with many factors to consider including individual behaviours, the built environment, the food environment, genetics, and societal/cultural influences, with many of these factors often being interlinked.

The 2022 WHO report focuses on managing obesity throughout the life course and tackling obesogenic environments. It also considers more recent challenges, including problematic digital marketing to children and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on obesity prevalence.

In the UK it is estimated that obesity is responsible for more than 30,000 deaths each year. On average, obesity deprives an individual of an extra 9 years of life. The NHS costs attributable to overweight and obesity are projected to reach £9.7 billion by 2050, with wider costs to society estimated to reach £49.9 billion per year.