Weight Gain & Obesity Stats
Obesity & Life Expectancy
Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 kg/m2, is detrimental
to our health. Although life expectancy increased last century in the
UK, if current trends in BMI continue to increase and UK citizens continue
to gain weight, then the first quarter of the 21st century could see the
start of a decline in life expectancy.
Obesity Costs
The prevalence of obesity and being overweight has increased dramatically
in the past 30 - 50 years. In 1980, the percentage of the UK population
classed as obese was 7%. By 2000 this had increased to 20%, a three-fold
expansion. Overweight subjects comprised about 20% of the 1980 population
but by 2000 this was about 45%. In the US the costs of obesity in 1997
were estimated at around US$97 billion annually. In the UK costs for 2000
were thought to by the National Audit Office (NAO) to be around £2.5.
Obesity UK vs. US
Obesity is an issue that will be a disaster for the UK. Obesity, as the
2001 NAO report concludes, is an issue that cuts across Departmental boundaries.
This is an issue, if current weight gain trends continue, that will be
a disaster for the UK as a whole, and for its citizens individually and
for the economy. We need only look to the US to see where we are going,
and the weight problem there has yet to plateau. The proportional spread
of obesity in the US is currently three to four years ahead of the UK.
Source: Obesity 2003 - A response to the
House of Commons Health Committee inquiry.
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