Introduction

Tackling obesity is one of the greatest long-term health challenges this country faces. Nationally, 25.9% of adults are classified as obese and this disproportionately affects the most deprived groups in society. Children in the most deprived parts of the country are more than twice as likely to be obese as their peers living in the richest areas. This is sowing the seeds of adult diseases and health inequalities in early childhood [1].

Obesity is associated with reduced life expectancy. It is a risk factor for a range of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, at least 12 kinds of cancer, liver and respiratory disease and obesity can impact on mental health [1]. An unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are leading global risks to health.

Across England, almost 6 in 10 women and almost 7 in 10 men are classified as overweight or obese. Almost 3 in 10 women and more than 2 in men are classified as obese.

Figures 1 & 2: OHID Overweight & Obesity Infographics, source: Patterns and Trends in Adult Obesity in England Report

Diet evolves over time, being influenced by many social and economic factors that interact in a complex manner to shape individual dietary patterns. These factors include income, food prices (which will affect the availability and affordability of healthy foods), individual preferences and beliefs, cultural traditions, and geographical and environmental aspects (including climate change). Therefore, promoting a healthy food environment – including food systems that promote a diversified, balanced and healthy diet – requires the involvement of multiple sectors and stakeholders, including government, and the public and private sectors. Governments have a central role in creating a healthy food environment that enables people to adopt and maintain healthy dietary practices [2].

Consuming a healthy diet throughout the life-course helps to prevent malnutrition in all its forms as well as a range of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions. However, increased production of processed foods, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in dietary patterns. People are now consuming more foods high in energy, fats, free sugars and salt/sodium, and many people do not eat enough fruit, vegetables and other dietary fibre such as whole grains.

The exact make-up of a diversified, balanced and healthy diet will vary depending on individual characteristics (e.g. age, gender, lifestyle and degree of physical activity), cultural context, locally available foods and dietary customs. However, the basic principles of what constitutes a healthy diet remain the same. Below is the government's 'Eatwell Guide' which highlights the different types of food that make up our diet and the proportion each food group should be consumed in to contribute towards a healthy, balanced diet.


WHO Member States have agreed to reduce the global population’s intake of salt by 30% by 2025; they have also agreed to halt the rise in diabetes and obesity in adults and adolescents as well as in childhood overweight by 2025 [3,4].

Data Overview

In Oldham, 31.9% of adults are classified as obese. This is higher than the Greater Manchester average (27.1%), the North West rate (27.5%), the England rate (25.9%). Oldham's rate of obesity is highest across Greater Manchester and average amongst its CIPFA neighbours. The latest Oldham rate of 31.9% is 34% higher than in 2015/16. Although there have also been increases regionally (+12.2%) and nationally (+14.6%), these have been considerably smaller.

Figure 3: Percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as obese, trend
Source: OHID, Active Lives Adult Survey, Sport England

Figure 4: Percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as obese across Greater Manchester
Source: OHID, Active Lives Adult Survey, Sport England

Figure 5: Percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as obese across CIPFA Neighbours
Source: OHID, Active Lives Adult Survey, Sport England

Oldham's latest rate of overweight and obesity (71.8%) is also highest across Greater Manchester and higher than both regional and national averages (66.7% and 63.8% respectively). Oldham ranks 4th highest amongst CIPFA neighbours. The rate of overweight and obesity has increased by 10.3% between 2015/16 and 2021/22, a larger increase than seen across the North West (+5.7%) and England (+4.2%).

Figure 6: Percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as overweight or obese, trend
Source: OHID, Active Lives Adult Survey, Sport England

Figure 7: Percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as overweight or obese across Greater Manchester
Source: OHID, Active Lives Adult Survey, Sport England

Figure 8: Percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as overweight or obese across CIPFA neighbours
Source: OHID, Active Lives Adult Survey, Sport England

The percentage of Oldham adults meeting the '5-a-day' fruit and vegetable recommendation was 24.2% in the latest year's data, down from 27.7% in the previous year. Oldham's rate sits below the North West and England averages (29.3% and 32.5% respectively). Oldham has the lowest percentage of adults meeting the 5-a-day recommendation across Greater Manchester and 4th lowest amongst CIPFA neighbours.

Figure 9: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) meeting the '5-a-day' recommendation for fruit and vegetable consumption
Source: OHID, Active Lives Adult Survey, Sport England

Figure 10: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) meeting the '5-a-day' recommendation for fruit and vegetable consumption across Greater Manchester
Source: OHID, Active Lives Adult Survey, Sport England

Figure 11: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) meeting the '5-a-day' recommendation for fruit and vegetable consumption across CIPFA neighbours
Source: OHID, Active Lives Adult Survey, Sport England

Further Information & Resources

Eatwell Guide
The Eatwell Guide is a policy tool used to define government recommendations on eating healthily and achieving a balanced diet.

Government Dietary Recommendations
This document provides a concise summary of the government’s recommendations for energy and nutrients for males and females aged 1 – 18 years and 19+ years. These are based on recommendations from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA) and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN).

NHS Website Page 'Eating a Balanced Diet'
This page covers healthy eating advice for the general population.

NHS Website Page 'Managing your Weight'
Advice and links to advice on calories, diet and information about gaining or losing weight in a healthy way.

Tackling obesity: empowering adults and children to live healthier lives
Tackling Obesity Policy Paper, july 2020.

WHO Healthy Diet Fact Sheet
World Health Organisation Fact Sheet on Healthy Eating.

OHID Analysis - Patterns and Trends in Adult Obesity
These PowerPoint slides present data from the Health Survey for England on the prevalence of adults (aged 16 and over unless otherwise stated) living with obesity in clear, easy to understand charts and graphics.

OHID's Obesity Data Profile
Additional data and information relating to ​adult obesity.

​JSNA - Childhood Obesity
Oldham's JSNA page on Childhood Obesity.

References

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-obesity-government-strategy/tackling-obesity-empowering-adults-and-children-to-live-healthier-lives
[2] https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet
[3] Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014.
[4] Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013–2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013.