Facts and Figures

Published: 31 August 2007

Facts and figures on obesity and dieting

Obesity

• Evidence suggests that the rising prevalence of obesity is due to the combination of a less
  active lifestyle coupled with changes in eating habits (less formal meal times, larger portion
  sizes and the increased availability of energy dense foods)
• The four most common disease linked to obesity are heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and osteo-arthritis
• ?In 1980 8% of women and 6% of men were classified as obese in the UK
• By 1998 the prevalence of obesity had trebled to 21% of women and 17% of men
• Currently two in five adults are currently overweight and one in five adults is currently obese
• It has been predicted that 1 in 3 adults will be obese by 2005
• In children, 9% of boys and 13% of girls are classified as obese
• The estimated human cost is 18 million sick days and 30,000 deaths a year
• One third of all new cases of obesity could be prevented by people taking a half hour brisk walk each day

Dieting

• Diets don't work! - 98% of women who lose weight through dieting put the weight back on
• There is no scientific evidence to support detox diet claims as the body is designed to rid itself naturally on unwanted toxins (British Nutrition Foundation / www.nutrition.org.uk)
• Consumers are confused by the plethora of alternative and faddy dietary approaches that are promoted by unqualified individuals and the media (1)
• "Unsubstantiated claims about the dietary treatment of obesity contribute to a climate ofconfusion and public distrust, undermining tried and tested, credible treatments for obesity that have proven health benefits" (1)
• The consensus of academic opinion, based on the very extensive research in relation to lowfat, high carbohydrate diets, demonstrates conclusively that an effective, realistic and
  achievable strategy for long-term weight management with clear health benefits does exist: Strategies include increasing exercise, eating less fat, eating more wholegrain and high-fibre carbohydrate foods and reducing portion sizes (1)
• According to the 'Food Standards Agency 'Balance of Good Health' consumers should be eating 30-50% of their energy intake as carbohydrate foods like, bread, pasta, cereals,
  potatoes and rice. The FSA advises consumer that carbohydrates will not make you fat - its what you eat with it! (Food Standards Agency / www.foodstandards.gov.uk)

(1): (Tackling the Weight of the Nation, MRC Human Nutrition Research, 2003)