Experts have revealed both good and bad news about Britain's obesity rates, highlighting the potential role of weight loss injections in future trends. While the rapid increase in obesity seen over recent decades appears to be slowing or stabilising, the UK still ranks among the top ten high-income Western nations for obesity prevalence.
Obesity trends in the UK
A comprehensive global analysis led by Imperial College London, published in the journal Nature, examined over four decades of health data from 200 countries. The study found that the obesity surge is decelerating, with a plateau observed for girls around 2000 and for boys before 2005. Adult obesity rates continue to rise but at a significantly slower pace.
Lead researcher Professor Majid Ezzati noted that this shift occurred in the early to mid-2000s for women and shortly after for men. However, the proportion of obese individuals in the UK remains high. In 1980, 1.5% of boys were obese, rising to 12.4% in 2024. For girls, the increase was from 1.6% to 10.1%. Among men, obesity rose from 5.7% to 26.7%, and among women from 8.5% to 29.6%.
Weight loss jabs as a game-changer
The impact of weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro is not yet reflected in the data, but experts believe they could play a crucial role. Professor Ezzati described them as a game-changer at the clinical level, offering significant benefits for individuals. He emphasised the need to make these drugs more affordable globally. However, he cautioned that their population-level impact could be limited if side-effects emerge.
Regarding dietary factors, Professor Ezzati stated: "We have made it easy to eat unhealthy things. The common denominator is, 'How do we make it easy to eat healthy food?'" He noted differences in food sourcing, distribution, and culture across countries.
Wider study findings
The study analysed weight and height measurements from over 232 million people aged five and older, involving more than 1,900 researchers. It found that obesity prevalence continues to rise in many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific and Caribbean islands.
Dr Marie Spreckley from the University of Cambridge commented: "For the UK, the findings suggest obesity prevalence may be stabilising, but at a relatively high level compared with many other high-income countries. This should not be interpreted as evidence that the problem has been solved. A plateau at high prevalence still represents a substantial burden for individuals, healthcare systems, and society."
The UK data included the National Child Measurement Programme and the Health Survey for England, funded by the Department of Health. Professor Ezzati concluded that while the plateau offers a more optimistic picture, continued efforts in prevention, treatment, and support are essential.
