Obesity among UK women has been continually growing into an epidemic in recent years, becoming a significant national global burden adversely affecting not just individual health but also the healthcare system and the economy.
The UK government announced that the National Health Service (NHS) spends an estimated £6.5 billion per year on obesity-related illnesses, which is expected to shoot up to £9.7 billion by 2050 with continued health trends. Obesity and overweight are dubbed as "the second biggest preventable cause of cancer," as mentioned by Cancer Research UK.
England's Southampton Data Observatory also echoed government reports that over one in four (26%) adults, and 23.4% among children aged 10-11 years in England, are afflicted with obesity, placing massive pressure on the UK healthcare system.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and leading health organizations are also highlighting the alarming rise in obesity rates among women globally in the UK, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address this growing epidemic, raising awareness about the challenges of female obesity, and the significance of implementing effective prevention and management strategies.
The Scale of Obesity in the UK
According to the Health Survey for England 2021, 25.9% of adults in England are obese, with the remaining 37.9% being overweight but not obese.
Obesity is usually defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. A BMI between 25 and 30 is considered 'overweight'.
Published in December 2022, the said survey discovered that men are more likely than women to be overweight or obese (68.6% vs. 59.0%). People aged 45 to 74 are more likely to be overweight or obese.
However, UK government reports showed that from 2021 to 2022, the prevalence of adults living with obesity was 26.1% for women and 25.8% for men, showing a slightly higher percentage among females.
Women in Scotland, based on a Statista report, reached a staggering 30%, which was supported by additional reports by Obesity Action Scotland.
The Scottish factsheet reports showed that 57% of pregnant women had obesity and overweight concerns in 2021 and 2022, the highest recorded figures of the organization. OAS pointed out that "women are slightly more likely than men to have obesity... (although) males were more likely to have overweight, including obesity, than females."
Within the same duration, estimates also show that 25.9% of adults aged 18 and up in England were obese, representing a 25.2% increase from 2020 to 2021.
In England, the prevalence of obesity among adults varies by age, with adults aged 45 to 74 having a higher estimated prevalence than the national average.
When comparing ethnic groups within the country, the prevalence of adult obesity remains highest among those who identify as black (33.7%) or white British (27.3%).
Women Outnumbered Men in One Million UK Hospital Admissions for Obesity-Related Issues
With more than one million hospital admissions in the UK from 2019 to 2020, women comprised two-thirds (64%) of obesity-related health concerns, as reported by NHS.
The NHS report was based on the Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity, and Diet; England, 2021, an annual compilation of obesity-related data, including hospital admissions, prescription items, obesity prevalence among adults and children, physical activity, and diet.
The report's data showed that some 1.02 million hospital admissions in the UK were recorded, a 17% increase from the previous years of 2018-2019.
Statista added information that around 8000 women and almost 2700 men were admitted to hospitals with obesity and overweight-related health issues, "The highest number of admissions due to obesity were found in the age group 45 to 54 years, with over 3.1 thousand admissions in that age group," the statistical study said.
The statistical study added that "the prevalence of obesity or morbid obesity in Scotland in this year (2020) was 30 per cent among women and 26 per cent among men... with women's mean Body Mass Index of women was 27.8 and slightly lower for men at 27.5.
For her part, Public Health England Principal Public Health Intelligence Analyst Caroline Hancock observed that "it is now more important than ever that we continue to monitor the levels of people living with excess weight in the population."
"Understanding the data, the trends and patterns enables us to make the case for
national and local action, which includes policy and approaches to create health
promoting environments; healthier food and activity options; social marketing
campaigns to support behaviour change and to work with partners to design
and tailor approaches to meet the needs of particular groups of people."
Overweight and Obesity: Prime Causes For Cancer
Overweight and obesity are the second leading causes of cancer in the UK. Obesity increases your risk of developing cancer.
This, according to Cancer Research UK, pointing out that this medical condition causes cancer in more than one in 20 cases in the UK.
"If you are overweight, you are more likely to get cancer than if you are a healthy weight. Being overweight doesn't mean that you'll develop cancer. But the risk is higher the more overweight you are and the longer you are overweight. If you are overweight, avoiding putting on more weight and losing weight will help reduce your risk of cancer," says Cancer Research UK.
The health organization explained the steps in how overweight and obesity lead to cancer: fat cells increase inflammation and make extra hormones and growth factors. These hormones, growth factors, and inflammation cause our body cells to divide more often. These expanded cells also increase the chances of producing cancer cells, which can continue to divide and cause a tumour.
The factors contributing to obesity are multifaceted and complex, involving a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. However, certain factors have been identified as particularly influential in the rise of obesity among women in the UK.
One significant factor is the changing nature of work and family life. Studies found that women are more likely than men to have caring responsibilities, making it challenging to find time for physical activity and healthy meal preparation.
Additionally, the increasing prevalence of sedentary jobs and long working hours has decreased physical activity levels among women.
The Power of Cod Liver Oil For Weight Management
Recent UK studies have highlighted the potential benefits of cod liver oil for weight loss, muscle mass gain, and overall fitness and health.
A British Journal of Nutrition study discovered that supplementing with cod liver oil can help women lose support for healthy body fat and gain lean muscle.
The study's report affirmed that it is "of public health importance to assess possible effects of cod liver oil intake on bone at different periods of life, particularly as bone health is the primary justification for recommending and taking cod liver oil."
Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed that cod liver oil supplement users had "higher energy, macro- and micronutrient intakes from food alone than non-supplement users."
The report underscored findings from the National Diet And Nutrition Survey (NDNS), which shows that "at the population level, supplement use has an impact on the proportions reaching the reference nutrient intake."
Government Initiatives And Strategies
Member states demanded new recommendations for obesity prevention and management at the 75th World Health Assembly in 2022 and endorsed the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop obesity.
According to WHO, the Acceleration Plahn has shaped the political environment "to generate impetus needed for sustainable change, created a platform to shape, streamline, and prioritize policy, support implementation in countries, drive impact, and strengthen accountability at a national and global level."
"The WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity is designed to stimulate and
support multi-sector country-level action across the globe. Drawing on policies that
are already tried, tested and based on implementation and delivery science, the plan
offers the prospect of a step change in delivery and impact in the effort to tackle the
growing crisis of obesity."
For its part, the UK government published its policy paper in July 2022, entitled "Tackling Obesity: Empowering Adults And Children To Live Healthier Lives", and introduced the "Better Health Campaign' which "will urge people to take stock of how they live their lives ... promoting evidence-based tools and apps with advice on how to lose weight and keep it off."
"The campaign aims to reach millions of people who need to lose weight, encouraging them to make behaviour changes to eat better and move more to prevent or delay the onset of serious diseases. This will be supported by a 12-week weight loss plan app that people who are living with obesity can use to develop healthier eating habits, get more active and lose weight."
"We have already committed through the NHS Long Term Plan to make weight
management services available from next year to those most at risk (people living
with obesity with type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension) but we will ensure that these services are also available for people living with obesity."
"We will also accelerate the expansion of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
to support those people who are most at risk, providing access to high-impact weight loss services for those that need it the most. This programme has already provided support to over half a million people. With this expansion, tens of thousands more people will be able to access these services than was originally included in the Long Term Plan."
The UK Department of Health and Social Care issued a recent statement regarding government efforts to tackle obesity in England, affirming that it is "taking strong action to encourage healthier food choices and to tackle obesity."
The introduction of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy has removed the equivalent of over 45,000 tonnes of sugar from soft drinks since its implementation. Calorie labelling was also introduced "to empower people to make informed choices," and a new legislation limiting the placement of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt in supermarkets to reduce the likelihood of impulse purchases.
With over £600 million in funding for the PE and Sport Premium over the next two academic years and £22 million for the School Games Organisers network, the UK government also expressed its optimism "to provide children and young people with an active start in life."
Conclusion
The escalating prevalence of obesity among women in the UK is a complex and pressing issue that requires full attention from its government and its society in general. To effectively address this concerning trend, it is critical to raise awareness of obesity's multifaceted nature and emphasize the importance of implementing effective prevention and management strategies.
A comprehensive approach is required, thoroughly examining individual lifestyle factors and societal and environmental influences contributing to the epidemic.
Emerging findings from UK studies highlight the potential benefits of cod liver oil for supporting healthy weight management, muscle building, and overall health, indicating a promising avenue for further investigation and integration into comprehensive obesity prevention and treatment strategies.
Further, women should be equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed and healthier decisions to achieve a healthier future for all. This includes providing access to vital support systems and resources and creating environments promoting well-being.
By embracing these measures, we can collectively help reverse the obesity epidemic, ensuring a brighter and healthier future for women in the UK and beyond.
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