Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 18 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 July 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Friday, 4 July 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what proportion of (a) men and (b) women were classified as (i) obese and (ii) overweight in each year since 1980. - Inc tables.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of (a) men and (b) women were classified as (i) obese and (ii) overweight in each year since 1980. [121064] Miss Melanie Johnson: Figures for all years since 1980 are not available but the table shows estimates from a population survey, the Health Survey for England, from 1991, when the survey began. Although earlier surveys have information on overweight and obesity comparisons are difficult because of different survey methodologies. The Health Survey covers ages 16 and over. Body mass index(BMI), 1991-2001--Aged 16 and over--BMI (kg/m2) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Obese (%) Overweight (%) Men 1991-921 12.0 42.0 1993 13.2 44.4 1994 13.8 44.3 1995 15.3 44.0 1996 16.4 44.6 1997 17.0 45.2 1998 17.3 45.5 1999 18.7 43.9 2000 21.0 44.5 2001 21.0 46.6 Women 1991-921 16.0 29.0 1993 16.4 32.2 1994 17.3 31.4 1995 17.5 32.9 1996 18.4 33.6 1997 19.7 32.8 1998 21.2 32.1 1999 21.1 32.8 2000 21.4 33.8 2001 23.5 32.9 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 The samples sizes in 1991 and 1992 were smaller than in subsequent years and for reporting purposes the estimates from both years were combined.

Secondary information