scotPHO introduction:
  High Blood Pressure
  High Cholesterol
  Obesity
Key points
  Introduction
  Policy context
  Risk factors
  Data
  Key data sources
  Key references
  Useful links
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Obesity: key points

  • The prevalence of obesity in Scotland has increased over the past two decades, reaching 22% in men and 24% in women in 2003.  About 60% of the population aged 16 and over are overweight or obese.
  • Around 35% of boys and 30% of girls aged 2–15 years can be classified as overweight or obese.
  • Obesity is linked to many diseases and conditions, and decreases life expectancy. Type 2 diabetes is almost 13 times more likely to occur in obese women than in women of normal weight.
  • Obesity results from a persistent imbalance in energy intake compared to energy expenditure. Diet and physical inactivity are important factors in this, which are themselves the result of many individual, environmental and social factors.
  • It has been estimated that for the year ending March 2002, obesity and its consequences cost the NHS in Scotland approximately £171M per year.