Obesity in the UK

Obesity is fast becoming a global epidemic, affecting more than 300million people worldwide. It was once considered a ‘condition’ that lead to associated diseases but the World Health Organisation now recognises obesity as a disease in its own right. It accounts for more than 30,000 deaths a year in the UK and causes a number of chronic obesity-related problems including:

• Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
• Diabetes Type II
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Stroke
• Increase in cholesterol levels
• Joint damage
• Respiratory problems
• Psychological problems as depression and low self-esteem.

The good news is that obesity is a disease which is largely preventable through changes in lifestyle and diet.

Obesity: What is it and how is it caused?

Obesity is the excessive storage of body fat, which results in the significant impairment of one’s health and life. This is caused by a combination of factors:

• Poor Diet
  Nutritional balance is central to weight management. If we apply the simple rules of the energy balance equation, the total energy consumed must equal the total energy used. Therefore, if the ‘energy in’ far outweighs the ‘energy used’, then this will lead to increased fat storage. Excess calories, regardless of the source, will ultimately be stored as fat. The quality of food is also vital to weight control. Highly processed foods available today contain additives and chemicals which are not only harmful to health, but also cause a craving response, encouraging us to eat more.


• Lack of physical activity
  Physical activity is one of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy weight. In such a sedentary world where we barely move from our desks, exercise is crucial in reducing the development of fat cells.


• Genetics
  Although still under research, it is well established that genetic factors such metabolic rate, body shape and the production of hormones can all be linked to obesity.


• Smoking and drinking alcohol
  Both smoking and drinking have a significant influence on the storage of body fat, mainly centralised around the abdomen.

Obesity: How it affects your gender

Obesity is one of the biggest health concerns in the UK today with nearly one fifth of the adult population is reportedly obese. A person is said to be obese if their BMI is 30 or above. Figures today show that 17% of men, and 21% of women in the UK are obese. A person with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is said to be overweight, with 46% of men, and 32% of women in the UK falling into this category. In 1996, approximately 13% of 8 year olds and 17% of 15 year olds were obese. This increases the chance of adult obesity. These are alarming figures.

Obese women have a higher chance of dying from cancer of the gall bladder, cervix, breast, uterus and ovaries. Men have an increased risk of abdominal obesity due to their shape, which increases the risk of heart disease and type-2 diabetes.

Obesity: How is it classed?

There are a number of assessment methods for body fat such as skinfold testing, electronic scales, underwater weighing and waist circumference. However, the Body Mass Index is the most widely used method.

If you would like to learn more about the Body Mass Index (BMI) and check your own, please click here.

Obesity: Exercise Recommendations

Exercise for the obese must be approached with caution and always with written approval from their GP. Not only could the list of disease complications and interrelated factors be complex, but an early stage of obesity usually involves dietary intervention until some successful weight loss has been achieved. This will lighten the stress on joints and ligaments and help prevent injury.

Once this has been achieved and approval given, light, low impact aerobic exercise can be prescribed combined with a variety of balance, stability and mobility training. Strength training may also serve as a valuable companion, focusing mainly on core, hip, knee and ankle stability – being sure to perform all exercise with good posture.

We have a specialist range of low impact exercise equipment that you can choose from at WeightWorld, if you would like to view our range please click here.

If you would be more interested in viewing our effective range of weight loss products please click here.