Obesity

Obesity and overweight increase the risk of the biggest killer diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. The prevalence of obesity has trebled since the 1980s, and well over half of all adults are either overweight or obese – almost 24 million adults. If the number of obese children continues to rise, children will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. If current trends continue, at least one-third of adults, one-fifth of boys and one-third of girls will be obese by 2020. The cost of obesity is estimated at up to £3.7 billion per year, including £49 million for treating obesity, £1.1 billion for treating the consequences of obesity, and indirect costs of £1.1 billion for premature death and £1.45 billion for sickness absence. The cost of obesity plus overweight is estimated at up to £7.4 billion per year. Burning off the calories in a fast food chain’s cheeseburger, fries and a shake equates to a nine-mile walk.

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