Obesity in adults
Data from the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) show that, for people aged 16 to 64 years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of obesity, as measured by Body Mass Index (see measurement section) between 1995 and 2008:
- Prevalence of obesity among men (16-64yrs) increased from 16% in 1995 to 25% in 2008 and for women (16-64yrs) from 17% in 1995 to 27% in 2008 (chart 1)
- Obesity prevalence rates, as defined by Waist Hip Ratio (see measurement section) among men and women increased between 1995 and 2003; for men from 21.1% to 25.4% and for women from 14.4% to 25.3% (2008 SHeS figures have yet to be published)
- The prevalence of obesity in men and women varies considerably by age (Charts 2 and 3)
- In 2008, men and women aged 55-64 yrs were proportionately more likely to be considered obese than other age-groups (Charts 2 and 3)
- In 2008, 18% of women aged 16-24 were considered obese compared to 8% of men aged 16-24 (Charts 2 and 3)
- Prevalence of obesity has risen in all age groups since 1995
Please note: If you require the most up-to-date data available, please check the data sources directly as new data may have been published since these data pages were last updated. Although we endeavour to ensure that the data pages are kept up-to-date, there may be a time lag between new data being published and the relevant ScotPHO web pages being updated.
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