HC Deb 08 July 1996 vol 281 cc21-2W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the estimated percentage, for each nation within the United Kingdom of(a) men and (b) women, aged (i) 16 to 64 years and (ii) 64 years and over, who were obese for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [36048]

Mr. Horam

The table shows the information available for England from 1991–1994. Prior to this, the data are less comprehensive, and information is available for 1.980 and 1986–87 for Great Britain only. For information relating to other parts of the United Kingdom I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Percentage obese1
Year Great Britain England
Age (years) 16–64 16–64 65–74 75+
Men
19802 6
1986–873 8
19914 13 14 7
19924 12 11 14
19934 13 15 11
19944 13 18 15
Women
19802 8
1986–873 12
19914 15 19 16
19924 16 22 14
19934 16 21 16
19944 16 25 16

Note:

1 The classification for obese has been taken as body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2.

Source:

2. The Heights and Weights of Adults in Great Britain.

3. The Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults.

4. Health Surveys of England, 1991 to 1994.