Obesity rates in England have increased significantly over the past three decades, with prevalence climbing from 15% in 1993 to 30% in 2024 among those aged 16 and over, according to analysis by the King’s Fund. If rates had remained at 1993 levels, approximately seven million fewer adults would currently be classified as obese. The rise has been particularly pronounced among young adults aged 16 to 24, where obesity rates reached 18% in 2024 compared with 6% in 1993, representing an additional 700,000 young adults living with obesity over the period.
Experts attribute the increase to multiple interconnected factors. The shift from manufacturing and manual labor toward service sector and office-based employment has created more sedentary work environments. Simultaneously, food prices have declined since the 1990s due to supermarket competition and the proliferation of fast food outlets and delivery services, making high-calorie foods more accessible and affordable. Cost-of-living pressures have further incentivized purchasing cheaper, less nutritious options. Less healthy foods in supermarkets are now less expensive than they were three decades ago, and takeaway meals high in fats, salt, and sugar are particularly concentrated in areas of high deprivation.
Obesity carries significant health and economic consequences. It is a risk factor for chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers. The condition costs the UK economy approximately £126bn annually, with £12bn directed to the NHS, representing roughly 7% of its annual budget.
Despite 14 national obesity strategies launched since 1992, progress has been described as insufficient. Recent government interventions include a ban on junk food advertising before 21:00 on television and at any time online, introduced in January, and a soft drinks levy implemented in 2018. Weight loss medications such as GLP1s are increasingly used, with Mounjaro available through NHS specialist clinics since March 2025, though eligibility criteria remain restrictive. Health officials emphasize that pharmaceutical approaches alone are inadequate, with England’s Chief Medical Officer cautioning against relying solely on lifelong medication to address the issue.
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