Obesity indicators 2015

Latest data for indicators selected to monitor progress for our Prevention of Obesity Route Map (2010). Most indicators are updated up to 2014, but for some indicators data are more or less up-to-date than this.


Key points

  • In 2014, 65% of adults aged 16 and over were overweight, including 28% 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 29% and 33%. In 2014, 31% of children were at risk of overweight, including 17% at risk of obesity.
  • At the end of 2014, there were 276,430 people diagnosed with diabetes in Scotland recorded on local diabetes registers. Of all cases, 88.3% (244,050) 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 six percent of children met physical activity recommendations (including school-based activity). This is a statistically significant increase compared to 71% of children in 2008 and 2009.
  • The percentage of food energy contributed by added sugars (14.5%) remains higher than the Scottish Dietary Goal of less than 11% of food energy.
  • In recent years, the volume of sales of regular soft drinks has reduced, while sales of confectionery, biscuits, cakes and pastries have remained relatively unchanged.

Contact

Email: Daniel Adams

Back to top