Obesity: key points
- The prevalence of obesity in Scotland has continued to increase since 1995, reaching 25% in men and 27% in women in 2008.
- In 2008, men and women aged 55-64yrs were proportionately more likely to be obese than other age groups.
- Between 1995 and 2008, levels of obesity have increased two-fold in men and women aged 16-24yrs
- 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 for the year ending March 2002, obesity and its consequences cost the NHS in Scotland approximately £171M per year.
Section updates:
- The last major update of this section was completed in December 2009.
- The next major update is due to be carried out by end December 2010.
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