Obesity indicators 2016

Key points

• In 2015, 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.
• Since 1998, the proportion of children at risk of overweight (including obesity) has fluctuated between 28% and 33%. In 2015, 28% of children were at risk of overweight, including 15% at risk of obesity.
• At the end of 2015, there were 284,122 people diagnosed with diabetes in Scotland recorded on local diabetes registers. Of all cases, 88.3% (250,881) were Type 2 diabetes. Prevalence of Type 2 diabetes continues to increase steadily.
• Sixty three 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 three 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 are similar in 2015 and 2008.
• In 2014, the percentage of food energy contributed by added sugars (14.1%) remained higher than the Scottish Dietary Goal of less than 11% of food energy.
• Between 2010 and 2014, the volume of sales of regular soft drinks reduced, while sales of confectionery, biscuits, cakes and pastries remained relatively unchanged.

About this publication

• This publication reports the latest results for the indicators selected to monitor progress of the Scottish Government's Prevention of Obesity Route Map. The data for most indicators have been updated to include 2015, although some are more or less recent than this. The indicator framework was informed by NHS Health Scotland's healthy weight outcomes logic model, and by the Scottish Public Health Network's Route Map engagement process.