Obesity: key points

  • In 2010, 27% of men, in Scotland, aged 16 years and older and 29% of women aged 16 years and older were obese.
  • The prevalence of obesity in Scotland has continued to increase since 1995, reaching 27% in men (16-64 yrs) and 28% in women (16-64 yrs) in 2010.
  • In 2010, men and women aged 55-64 years were proportionately more likely to be obese than other age groups.
  • Obesity is linked to many diseases and conditions, and decreases life expectancy. For example,Type 2 diabetes is almost 13 times more likely to occur in obese women than in women of normal weight.
  • Scotland has some of the highest levels of obesity prevalence for men and women among OECD countries.
  • It has been estimated that that the total cost to Scottish society of obesity in 2007/8 was in excess of £457 million.

Section updates:

  • The last major update of this section was completed in January 2012.
  • The next major update is due to be carried out by end January 2013.