Diarmid Campbell-Jack: Two in three Scot adults overweight

USING results from the Scottish Health Survey, researchers at ScotCen have been able to look at levels of obesity in Scotland and see how these have changed over the years.
Two in three Scottish adults are overweight, according to new figures. Picture: Getty ImagesTwo in three Scottish adults are overweight, according to new figures. Picture: Getty Images
Two in three Scottish adults are overweight, according to new figures. Picture: Getty Images

This is a particularly important issue as there are numerous conditions associated with adult obesity such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis or cancer and, in the worst cases, adults with high levels of obesity may die.

Moreover, we know from other studies that the estimated cost to the National Health Service in Scotland of overweight and obesity ranges from around £350 million to £600m.

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Our findings show that two in every three adults (65 per cent) in Scotland are overweight, with this including 28 per cent who are obese.

Interestingly, while a higher proportion of men are overweight, a lower proportion were obese. Looking at figures by age, whereas one in eight (12 per cent) of those aged 16-24 were obese this rose significantly to around one in three of those aged 45-74.

Of course, this rather begs the question of what proportion of men and women in Scotland are actually at a healthy weight.

ScotCen have looked at this in detail, with our analysis showing that there are clear differences by gender, with 29 per cent of men and 37 per cent of women being of a healthy weight last year.

Using historical figures, we have been able to track levels of obesity and being overweight right back as far as 1995.

What we’re able to show is that while the prevalence of being overweight, including obesity and morbid obesity, in adults rose between 1995 (52 per cent) and 2008 (63 per cent), levels have stabilised since then.

This evidence-base is absolutely vital not only in ensuring that there is a strong evidence-base upon which political decisions can be made but in providing relevant information to ensure each individual can be fully informed on relevant health-related issues.

• Diarmid Campbell-Jack is Research Director at ScotCen Social Research.

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