The House of Commons obesity statistics of the United Kingdom's obesity problems are another version of a similarly disturbing story told worldwide. The unfortunate reality is that there is an epidemic of obesity around the globe with no end in sight.
The obesity statistics and trends published in the UK parallel the statistics in many other countries, including the United States.
Despite the thousands of diets published and diet foods concocted over the last 50 years, the rate of obesity has risen around the world. The House of Commons obesity statistics is another demonstration of the urgency to find a solution, fast.
House of Commons Obesity Statistics and Trends
#1. The most widely used measure of obesity is the Body Mass Index BMI. A person is classified as obese if their BMI is 30 or higher.
#2. The National Health Survey for England found that 29 percent of adults in England are obese, and 36 percent are overweight. In total, the percentage of adults in England classified as overweight or obese has now hit 65 percent. (NHS Digital, Health Survey for England, 2017)
#3. Over the last 25 years, the obesity rate in England has increased by 14 percent. In the year 1993, the obesity level was 15 percent and has risen to 29 percent in the Health Survey for England in 2017. (House of Commons Library Briefing Paper Number 3336 – August 6, 2019, by Carl Baker)
#4. Twenty percent of children in deprived areas are clinically obese by age 11. (House of Commons Obesity Statistics Briefing Paper Number 3336 – August 6, 2019, by Carl Baker)
#5. Underprivileged children are more likely to become obese than well off children. In 2007, 21 percent of deprived children were overweight, and the percentage of obesity among deprived children age 10 to 11 jumped to 27 percent in 2018. (National Child Measurement Programme)
#6. Obesity statistics in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland closely parallel the findings in England and other countries. For instance, in Northern Ireland, 62 percent of men are overweight or obese, compared to 57 percent of women. (Health Survey of Northern Ireland)
#7. Obesity rates are projected to increase further by 2030, and Korea and Switzerland are the countries where obesity rates are expected to grow at a faster pace. (OECD Obesity Update 2017)
Comments on Each Obesity Statistic
The Definition of Obesity
#1. The most widely used measure of obesity is the Body Mass Index BMI. A person is classified as obese if their BMI is 30 or higher.
A BMI of 40 or more is often known as ‘morbid obesity.' (House of Commons Library Briefing Paper Number 3336 – August 6, 2019, by Carl Baker¹)
A BMI of 30 indicates that you are 30 pounds over your ideal weight range for your height. Likewise, a BMI of 40 is a warning that you are 40 pounds over your ideal weight.
Obesity Rate in England
#2. The National Health Survey for England found that 29 percent of adults in England are obese, and 36 percent are overweight. In total, the percentage of adults in England classified as overweight or obese has now hit 65 percent. (NHS Digital, Health Survey for England, 2017)
#3. Over the last 25 years, the obesity rate in England has increased by 14 percent. In the year 1993, the obesity level was 15 percent and has risen to 29 percent in the Health Survey for England in 2017. (House of Commons Library Briefing Paper Number 3336 – August 6, 2019, by Carl Baker)
The rate of obesity in England is still below that of the United States, but they are catching up fast. In contrast, obesity in America is approaching the 40 percent mark.
An obesity rate of 40 percent means that nearly 40 percent of adults over 20 years old have a BMI of 30 or above. (American Medical Association 2018)
Childhood Obesity Statistics in England
#4. Twenty percent of children in deprived areas are clinically obese by age 11. (House of Commons Obesity Statistics Briefing Paper Number 3336 – August 6, 2019, by Carl Baker)
#5. Underprivileged children are more likely to become obese than well off children. In 2007, 21 percent of deprived children were overweight, and the percentage of obesity among deprived children age 10 to 11 jumped to 27 percent in 2018. (National Child Measurement Programme)
One likely culprit fueling the obesity crisis is the lack of affordable fruits and vegetables. Most countries, subsidize grains, but not fruits and vegetables.
Consider the following statistic regarding farm subsidies in America:
“Grains are the most heavily subsidized, making them cheaper than vegetables and fruits. As a result, grains make up one-fourth of the average American diet.
Oil made from corn, soybeans, and canola contributed another quarter. Fruits and vegetables are less than 10 percent.” (Farm Subsidies with Pros, Cons, and Impact: How Farm Subsidies Affect You – thebalance.com)
Imagine if plants vs. grains were heavily subsidized and accessible to all income strata of the population. In poverty-stricken neighborhoods, adults and children look to cheap food for calories. They cannot afford the high prices of the foods they need to escape obesity.
Fast food is where deprived children and adults turn for calories. During the American depression, for example, Hershey's chocolate company promoted its new chocolate and peanuts bar as a “Tasty Lunch” because of the added protein and nutrition value. In the depression years, you could get 2 Mr. Goodbars for 5 cents. (Encyclopedia That's a Good Bar – Hersheysarchives.org)
Obesity in the United Kingdom
#6. Obesity statistics in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland closely parallel the findings in England and other countries. For instance, in Northern Ireland, 62 percent of men are overweight or obese, compared to 57 percent of women. (Health Survey of Northern Ireland)
Worldwide Obesity Trends
#7. Obesity rates are projected to increase further by 2030, and Korea and Switzerland are the countries where obesity rates are expected to grow at a faster pace. (OECD Obesity Update 2017)
The OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries that share data and solutions for common social issues.
As of 2019, the United States has an obesity rate of 40 percent, while Japan's rate is 4 percent. The most significant difference between American meals and Japanese meals is vegetables.
In Japan, rice and vegetables along with some protein like fish and tofu are the main staples. On the other hand, meat, dairy, potatoes, and processed foods are the primary food staples of the United States. You will notice that vegetables are sorely missing from the meals of Americans.
There are other distinctions like meal size and processed foods. The reason Americans have such huge meals is that they do not eat enough in the day. The result is they are too hungry in the evening, which leads to more substantial portions than recommended. Home-cooked meals are the norm in Japan.
Conclusion
The House of Commons Obesity statistics report of 2018 further cements the trend of obesity rising worldwide. Sampling local authorities (counties) of the United Kingdom revealed disturbing, but not surprising results.
As noted above in the OECD update of 2017, obesity rates are projected to increase by even higher alarming percentages over the next ten years.
Are there any solutions out there to stem the tide of the global obesity epidemic? The answer is yes, but the revenue produced by processed food manufacturers is a significant obstacle to promoting the truth.
Your body is not built to thrive on manufactured and processed foods. Even though all of the OECD countries promote more fruits and vegetables, the average percentage of vegetable intake is less than 10 percent of daily calories. (Farm Subsidies with Pros, Cons, and Impact: How Farm Subsidies Affect You – thebalance.com)
In summary, the addition of vegetables and the elimination of processed foods will cure the obesity epidemic.
Click here to Download the full House of Commons Obesity Statistics Report by Carl Baker PDF
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