UK Obesity Rates Surge, Two-Thirds of Adults Overweight

Obesity rates in England are rising sharply, with new data revealing that nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight and over a quarter are obese. The Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North East are particularly affected, with at least a third of adults classed as obese in 44 local authorities—up from 13 just five years ago. West Lindsey in Lincolnshire has the highest obesity rate at 38.8%, followed closely by Hartlepool and Bolsover at 37.9%. In contrast, southern England, especially London, has the lowest obesity rates, highlighting a stark regional divide. Obesity is most prevalent in the most deprived areas, where nearly 37.4% of adults are obese, compared to 19.8% in the least deprived areas. Despite significant spending on prevention and treatment, including new initiatives like pharmacy-distributed weight-loss injections, the crisis continues to grow, prompting calls for more robust action to address the underlying causes.