Two Thirds of Adults Are Overweight or Obese

The Health Survey for England 2024 estimated that 30% of adults aged 16 and over were living with obesity and 66% were overweight or living with obesity. The latter figure includes obesity. These measured-height-and-weight survey estimates describe England, not the whole UK.

Obesity is associated with increased risks of several health conditions, but health and weight are influenced by many factors. Reviewed 15 October 2026; the latest England survey results are distinguished below from older research and current clinical guidance.

Key Facts & Figures (Overview)

  • 30% of adults in England were living with obesity in 2024.
  • Around 36% were overweight without obesity, based on the rounded survey totals.
  • 66% were overweight or living with obesity, including the 30% with obesity.
  • Adult obesity prevalence in England was 15% in 1993; this was not the combined overweight-and-obesity figure.
  • The combined overweight-and-obesity figure was 53% in 1993.
  • In 2024, 70% of men and 62% of women were overweight or living with obesity.
  • Obesity prevalence was 29% among men and 31% among women in 2024.
  • BMI is a screening measure; waist size, ethnicity and other clinical factors also matter.
  • Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but it does not account for every case.
  • Obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
  • Obesity is associated with increased risk of some cancers; individual risk varies.
  • NHS treatment can include dietary support, physical activity, medicines or surgery where appropriate.
  • Treatment decisions should reflect clinical eligibility and a person’s wider health needs.
  • Weight-management medicines require assessment and monitoring; they are not suitable for everyone.

What Is Obesity?

Body mass index (BMI) is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. The general adult categories below are a starting point. Lower thresholds are used for some ethnic backgrounds, and BMI is interpreted differently for children, pregnancy and people with high muscle mass.

  • Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
  • Healthy weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
  • Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
  • Obese (Class I): BMI 30 to 34.9
  • Obese (Class II): BMI 35 to 39.9
  • Severely Obese (Class III): BMI 40 or above

The Causes of Obesity

Diet: Sustained intake of more energy than the body uses can contribute to weight gain. Food availability, cost and portion sizes can affect choices; it is too simple to attribute every case to one type of food.

Portions: Portion size can influence energy intake. Consider it alongside food composition, activity, health and individual nutritional needs.

Activity and health: Physical activity, sleep, some medicines and underlying health conditions can affect weight or its management.

Wider circumstances: Income, environment and access to support can influence opportunities to eat well and be active. Population patterns should not be used to blame individuals.

Childhood Obesity

England’s 2024/25 NCMP found obesity in 10.5% of Reception and 22.2% of Year 6 children. These school-age measurements use age- and sex-specific thresholds, so adult BMI categories should not be applied to them.

Obesity and Diet-Related Disease

Type 2 diabetes: Obesity is one risk factor alongside age, family history and other factors. Some people with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission with clinical support, but remission is not a guaranteed or permanent cure.

Cardiovascular health: Obesity can increase the risk of conditions such as coronary heart disease and stroke. Blood pressure, cholesterol and other risk factors need individual assessment.

Other conditions: Obesity is associated with some cancers, sleep apnoea and joint problems. These are increased risks rather than inevitable outcomes.

Treatment and Health-Service Support

The NHS offers support for weight management according to clinical need and local pathways. Treatment may combine changes to diet and activity with psychological support, prescribed medicines or surgery for eligible patients.

Medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have specific eligibility criteria and need clinical supervision. Access is being implemented through NHS pathways; an online statistic cannot determine which treatment is suitable for an individual.

Written by Food Safety Experts

This article was written by the team at Level 2 Food Hygiene, specialists in food safety training and compliance.

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Mark McShane
Mark McShane
Health & Safety Training Specialist, Online CPD Academy

Mark writes about food safety, food hygiene and accredited online training for Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, part of Online CPD Academy.