The number of adults classified as obese in England has more than doubled since the government introduced the country’s first obesity strategy in 1992, according to recent analysis by the King’s Fund. Current estimates indicate that 14.3 million adults are obese, a sharp increase that highlights the persistence and growth of the public health crisis over more than three decades.

The initial strategy, published under Prime Minister John Major’s Conservative government, aimed to reduce obesity rates by 25% among men and 33% among women. However, despite the rollout of 13 national obesity strategies since then, the proportion of adults who are obese or severely obese has risen significantly. From 1993 to 2024, this figure increased from 15% to nearly 30%, resulting in an additional 7.2 million adults living with obesity compared to what would have occurred if rates had remained stable.

The rise in obesity has been particularly pronounced among younger people. In 1993, only about 6% of adults aged 16 to 24 fell into the obese or severely obese category; this number has tripled to around 18% in 2024, representing approximately 1.1 million individuals in that age group.

Obesity is also linked to economic consequences, with recent studies associating it with higher rates of unemployment, increased sickness absence, and lower earnings. The total cost of obesity to the UK economy is estimated at £31 billion annually due to lost productivity, with the wider economic and social impact reaching approximately £126 billion each year.

David Buck, a senior fellow for public health at the King’s Fund, emphasized the need for urgent government action to address the “obesity time-bomb.” He advocated for policies that make healthier food choices more accessible and affordable, increased accountability for supermarkets and food manufacturers, and greater authority for local leaders to promote health within communities. Buck also cautioned against viewing GLP-1 medications, such as Mounjaro, which have recently gained attention for weight management, as a standalone solution. Instead, he described these drugs as a complement to broader preventive strategies that tackle the widespread availability and promotion of unhealthy foods.

The Department of Health echoed this view, reiterating that medication should be just one component of a comprehensive approach to obesity. The department stressed the importance of addressing the marketing of unhealthy food and drink and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices, including diet and physical activity.

According to widely used guidelines, adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while those with a BMI of 30 or higher are classified as obese. The King’s Fund analysis underscores the challenges in curbing obesity despite multiple public health initiatives, calling for renewed efforts that prioritize sustainable change in the food environment and social determinants of health.