Obese to outnumber healthy in five years

Study also forecasts that weight issues will overtake smoking as the biggest cause of UK cancers

Obese people will outnumber those of a healthy weight within five years, a stark report has warned. Currently, 28 per cent of UK adults are obese while 34 per cent are of a healthy weight. However, by 2027, 32.4 per cent will be obese, overtaking the 31.9 per cent in the healthy category, the study by Cancer Research UK said. The charity said that on current trends, 42 million people will weigh too much by 2040. It also predicted that obesity would overtake smoking as a cause of cancer.

OBESE people will outnumber those of a healthy weight within five years, a stark report has warned.

Currently, 28 per cent of UK adults are obese while 34 per cent are of a healthy weight. However, by 2027, 32.4 per cent will be obese, overtaking the 31.9 per cent in the healthy category, the study by Cancer Research UK said.

The charity criticised the Government’s decision to delay a ban on buyone-get-one-free deals and the advertising of junk food to children.

It follows warnings that “Deliveroo lifestyles” – people ordering more takeaway meals – mean Britain will soon have the highest obesity rate in Europe, with levels set to overtake smoking as the leading cause of cancer.

This week Lord Hague, the former Conservative leader, attacked the Government for delaying measures to tackle unhealthy eating, branding the weakening of the anti-obesity strategy as “morally reprehensible”.

Cancer Research said that on current trends, 42 million people will weigh too much by 2040 – including more than 21 million who will be obese.

This means an extra six million cases of obesity in less than two decades. By the end of this decade, more adults in the UK will be obese than a healthy weight, the projections show.

The forecasts suggest the proportion of people who are obese will rise to 36 per cent in two decades and become the most common category by 2027.

Those with a weight problem are already in the majority, with 64 per cent overweight or obese. Of those, 36 per cent are overweight, making it the largest group. Obesity is forecast to become the biggest category of all weight groups by 2035.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research, said: “These projections should serve as a wake-up call to the Government. Ministers must not keep kicking the can down the road when it comes to tackling the obesity crisis – delaying measures that will lead to healthier food options.”

Excess weight increases the risk of at least 13 types of cancer, doubling the chance of some types of the disease.

Research suggests that around 23,000 cases of cancer a year are linked to excess weight.

A Health Department spokesperson said: “We recognise the pressing need to tackle obesity, given it costs the NHS an estimated £6.5 billion per year and is the second biggest cause of cancer.

“We’re taking urgent action to encourage people to choose healthier food [and] will set out further action on levelling up the nation’s health through a White Paper later this year.”