Adolescent Obesity in England Rises by 50% Over 15 Years
New research to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) in Malaga, Spain, reveals a striking 50% increase in the proportion of adolescents living with overweight or obesity in England over the past 15 years. The studies, led by Dr. Dinesh Giri of Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and Dr. Senthil Senniappan of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, show that the prevalence rose from 22% in 2008-2010 to 33% in 2021-2023.
The research utilised linked primary and secondary healthcare data, specifically the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and Hospital Episode Statistics, to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 12-17 years. The analysis included adolescents registered at CPRD-contributing practices, which represent about 20% of practices nationwide, and used the UK 1990 growth reference centiles to define overweight (at or above the 91st centile) and obesity (at or above the 98th centile).
Three-year rolling prevalence rates were calculated to provide a clearer picture of long-term trends, smoothing out annual fluctuations. The findings indicate a particularly steep rise in adolescent obesity during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sociodemographic analysis revealed that higher proportions of adolescents with overweight (26%) or obesity (31%) resided in the most deprived areas, compared to those with a healthy weight (22%). Additionally, a significant number of adolescents living with overweight (8%) and obesity (27%) had previously lived with obesity during childhood, compared to just 1% among those with a healthy weight.
The study also examined the incidence of new comorbidities during adolescence. Adolescents with obesity were found to have higher rates of new-onset mental health (8.6%), physical (11.6%), and cardiometabolic (3.1%) conditions compared to those with overweight (7.8%, 10.7%, and 1.2%, respectively) and healthy weight (7.1%, 9.3%, and 0.5%, respectively). Of the 15 comorbidities investigated, the risks of 14 were significantly higher in adolescents with overweight or obesity. Over a mean follow-up of six years, the risk of developing conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, prediabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome was substantially higher among those with elevated BMI.
The authors attribute the rise in adolescent obesity to increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, sedentary lifestyles driven by excessive screen time, inadequate sleep, and growing mental health challenges. Reduced opportunities for physical activity and socioeconomic disparities have also contributed to the environment fostering unhealthy lifestyles.
The researchers conclude that the burden of overweight and obesity among adolescents in England is substantial and growing, with a significantly increased risk of early onset of various comorbidities, particularly cardiometabolic conditions, as BMI increases. They emphasise that addressing adolescent weight management could lead to long-term improvements in overall health, given the strong association between adolescent obesity and the risk of developing comorbidities both during adolescence and later in life.
.
