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Overweight and obesity occur when energy intake from food and drink consumption is greater than energy expenditure through the body’s metabolism and physical activity over a prolonged period, resulting in the accumulation of excess body fat. However, there are many complex behavioural and societal factors that combine to contribute to cause this.
Being obese or overweight can increase the risk of developing a range of serious diseases. The risks rise with BMI, and so are greater for obese individuals. Overall, moderate obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) 30-35 kg/m2) was found to reduce life expectancy by an average of three years, while morbid obesity (BMI 40-50 kg/ kg/m2) reduces life expectancy by 8-10 years. This 8-10 year loss of life is equivalent to the effects of lifelong smoking.
Promoting physical activity is a priority for Somerset. The estimated annual healthcare costs of diseases related to overweight and obesity are expected to rise from £133.8m in 2007 to £148.4m in 2015 for Somerset.
The costs of obesity are not exclusive to health. Obesity has an impact on increased social care costs, increased sickness and absence. Links have been made to pupil attainment and health and wellbeing (Public Health England 2014). Work is underway nationally to calculate these wider social and economic costs.
The page is split into two sections. First we look at obesity amongst children, followed by a section on adults. To go straight to the adults section, please click here.
Studies show that children who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese in adulthood.
National Child Measurement Programme (2015/16)
Established in 2005/06, the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for England records height and weight measurements of children in Reception (typically aged 4-5 years) and Year 6 (aged 10-11 years), and enables detailed analysis of prevalence and trends in child overweight and obesity levels. The most recent national data, published in November 2017, continue to show a clear correlation between deprivation and obesity prevalence for children in each age group. The figures below are based on where the pupils live, not the location of the school.
Key facts for Somerset:
Underweight | Healthy weight | Overweight | Obese | Participation rate | |
England 2017 | 1.0% | 76.4% | 13.0% | 9.6% | |
South West 2017 | 0.5% | 76.5% | 14.2% | 8.8% | |
Somerset 2017 | 0.6% | 77.1% | 13.6% | 8.7% | |
Somerset 2016 | 0.8% | 79.1% | 11.6% | 8.4% | 94.1% |
Somerset 2015 | 0.6% | 76.2% | 14.2% | 9.0% | 94.7% |
Somerset 2014 | 0.4% | 76.1% | 14.1% | 9.4% | 92.4% |
Somerset 2013 | 0.5% | 76.3% | 14.2% | 9.1% | 91.8% |
Somerset 2012 | 0.5% | 76.1% | 14.3% | 9.1% | 91.3% |
Somerset 2011 |
0.3% |
76.3% | 14.8% | 8.6% | 91.0% |
Source: NCMP, published on the NHS Digital website.
Underweight | Healthy weight | Overweight | Obese | Participation rate | |
England 2017 | 1.3% | 64.4% | 14.3% | 20.0% | |
South West 2017 | 1.0% | 68.9% | 13.9% | 16.2% | |
Somerset 2017 | 0.8% | 68.8% | 13.9% | 16.4% | |
Somerset 2016 | 1.4% | 69.8% | 13.5% | 15.3% | 89.8% |
Somerset 2015 | 1.1% | 67.5% | 14.4% | 17.0% | 91.4% |
Somerset 2014 | 1.0% | 68.1% | 14.5% | 16.4% | 86.9% |
Somerset 2013 | 1.2% | 69.5% | 13.6% | 15.8% | 85.4% |
Somerset 2012 | 0.8% | 67.3% | 14.9% | 17.0% | 88.0% |
Somerset 2011 |
1.0% |
68.5% | 14.0% | 16.5% | 87.9% |
Source: NCMP, published on the NHS Digital website.
Districts
Source: NCMP, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-obesity-and-excess-weight-small-area-level-data.
Local data
Public Health England also publishes obesity data at electoral ward and MSOA levels, based on the NCMP in the period 2011/12-2013/14. In Somerset, the electoral wards with the highest proportions of obese children aged 4-5 were Williton (17%), Chard Avishayes (16%), Shepton West (15%), Bridgwater Eastover and Langport & Huish (each 14%). The lowest prevalence rate was found in Bishops Lydeard (3%).
For Year 6 (ages 10-11), the wards with the highest figures are Dulverton & District and Yeovil East (each 26%), Frome Park and Bridgwater Dunwear (each 25%). Areas with the lowest proportions of obese children in this age group were Comeytrowe (6%) and North Curry & Stoke St Gregory (9%).
Widening the definition to include overweight children, more than two-fifths of 10-11 year-olds in Dulverton & District, Bridgwater Dunwear, Street North and Yeovil Central fell into this category.
Please note that wards with fewer than five children measured as obese are not included.
Desire to Lose Weight
The 2016 Somerset Children and Young People Survey of school and college children in Years 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 included questions on healthy eating and diet. When asked specifically about their weight:-
Questions on self-reported height and weight were added to the Sport England Active People Survey (APS) in January 2012 to provide data for monitoring excess weight. Public Health England released figures in January 2016, based on results in 2012-14. Note that results from the APS have been adjusted to account for variations between measured and self-reported height and weight as calculated from Health Survey for England data.
Key facts for Somerset:
% Obese Adults - Summary
% Obese Adults - All Unitary Authorities and Districts
% Adults with Excess Weight - Summary
% Adults with Excess Weight - All Unitary Authorities and Districts
Source: Active People Survey
Hospital Admissions
In 2013/14, there were a total of 67 Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs) in NHS hospitals in Somerset with a primary diagnosis of obesity. There were 68 admissions in 2012/13 and 93 in 2011/12. Admission rates in Somerset are consistently below national averages for both males and females. In the last three years more than three times as many women as men have been admitted to hospital in Somerset with a primary diagnosis of obesity.
To return to the Children section, please click here.
Various physical activity opportunities are commissioned across Somerset. Details are available via the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership visit www.sasp.co.uk
Distinction between prevention and treatment is important. Once weight is gained it is difficult to reverse and therefore emphasis on prevention should be a priority through lifestyle, physical activity and population level interventions (such as active travel). In the absence of extensive evidence, prevention strategies are more likely to be effective than treatment and more intensive efforts should be targeted at those at particular risk of obesity.
The effectiveness of children’s weight management is dependent on a family based approach with parental involvement and tailoring programmes according to local need. Lifestyle and community weight management programmes are first line treatment for those who are already overweight or obese.
The Somerset Health and Wellbeing board endorsed nine recommendations following the review of healthy weight services undertaken in 2014. These were:
You can see Ofsted ratings for all Somerset schools on our Ofsted dashboard.