Obesity Indicators statistics published

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Obesity Indicators statistics.  The publication reports the latest figures for indicators selected to monitor progress of the Scottish Government’s Prevention of Obesity Route Map.

Main findings

Overweight and obesity

In 2016, 65% of adults aged 16 and over were overweight, including 29% who were obese. Levels of overweight and obesity increased between 1995 and 2008, but have remained relatively stable since then.

                                         Proportion of adults overweight or obese, 1995-2016

obesity-4

Since 1998, the proportion of children at risk of overweight (including obesity) fluctuated between 28% and 33% (29% in 2016).

Diabetes

At the end of 2016, there were 291,981 people diagnosed with diabetes in Scotland recorded on local diabetes registers. Of all cases, 88.3% (257,728) were type 2 diabetes. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase steadily.

Physical activity

Sixty four percent of adults aged 16 and over met the current moderate/vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guideline. There has been no significant change to this proportion since 2012.

Seventy six percent of children are active for an average of 60 minutes per day (including school-based activity). Trends in physical activity for children have fluctuated over the years but the 2016 figure is the joint highest along with 2014.

Diet

In 2015, the percentage of food energy contributed by added sugars (14.4%) remains higher than the Scottish Dietary Goal of less than 11% of food energy.

Between 2010 and 2016, the volume of sales of regular soft drinks reduced, while sales of confectionery, biscuits, cakes and pastries remained relatively unchanged.

Background

The figures released today were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

The full statistical publication is available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/11/1691

Data for most indicators in this report are updated to 2016. Many of the indicators presented have already been published by other sources. 

The Scottish Government’s Prevention of Obesity Route Map is available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/17140721/19

Official statistics are produced in accordance with professional standards. More information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About

Contact: Alison McDonald, 0131 244 3092