National Obesity Awareness Week 2025 - Is it time to take action?

This year, National Obesity Awareness Week takes place between 10th - 16th January 2025. Yep, just after Christmas - and no, it’s not lost on us. But it’s not a week of complaining about how much we’ve eaten over the festive period - everyone’s entitled to some enjoyment. It's actually a week that’s about raising awareness, educating people, and sharing simple strategies and tips on how to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. In this blog, we’re exploring everything there is to know about obesity, from understanding BMI to knowing what might trigger you to overeat. So let’s start with some obesity facts…

Did you know?

• 26% of adults in England are obese 

• Obesity increases with age, peaking among adults aged 55 to 74 years 

• Obesity is more common among men (67%) than women (61%) 

• Obesity is highest in those living in the most deprived areas (71.5% and 35.9% respectively) 

• An estimated 78% of people in Scotland who were living with a long-term musculoskeletal condition were classed as obese in 2024.

What is obesity?

Put simply, obesity is a term used to describe someone who has excess body fat. And, according to the NHS, “it's estimated that around 1 in every 4 adults and around 1 in every 5 children aged 10 to 11 are living with obesity.” So how do you know if you’re obese? Well, a tool that’s often used is the BMI (or Body Mass Index).

What is BMI?

BMI is a way of measuring whether your weight is healthy or not. It uses your weight and height to work out where you sit on the scale. So, if your score comes up below 18.5 then you’re likely at risk of being underweight, and if your score is above 30 then you’re probably at risk of being obese. 

Here’s a breakdown of BMI scores: 

Below 18.5 – you're in the underweight range

18.5 to 24.9 – you're in the healthy weight range

25 to 29.9 – you're in the overweight range

30 to 39.9 – you're in the obese range

40 or above – you're in the severely obese range

Want to find out your BMI? Check out the free NHS tool here.

What causes obesity? 

The recommended daily amount of calories for women is 2,000 and for men, it’s 2,500. To maintain a healthy weight you need to make sure you don’t eat too much or too little. Obesity happens when you consume too many calories (especially foods high in sugar or fat) without increasing your movement. If you want to lose weight, then you should look at decreasing the amount of calories you consume or increasing your daily movement (or both). 

But sometimes it’s not just down to food, and obesity can be caused by genetics and health conditions, such as hypothyroidism and the menopause. Thankfully, many of these conditions can be treated by medicines, so make sure you reach out to your GP if you have any concerns.

Obesity-related conditions

When faced with obesity, it’s not just the extra weight you have to worry about. Obesity can lead to a number of conditions, ranging from type 2 diabetes to cardiovascular disease and even cancer, all of which result in a cost to the NHS of around £6.5 billion every year. 

On top of the physical impact of obesity, it can also affect your mental health. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), research has shown that being overweight can increase the risk of developing mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety by up to 70%.

How to fix obesity

Eat better

A great way to reduce your weight is to start eating healthier. The 1:1 Diet is designed as a way of resetting both your eating habits and your metabolism. But how does it work? Well, you start by choosing your personal diet Consultant, who will work with you to create a bespoke diet plan. This will include information on the right Steps for you, as well as the perfect meal replacements and one-to-one support from your Consultant. Scientifically proven to work for over 40 years, this plan will help to keep you on track, so you soon see the weight drop off.

Get moving

Start slowly by enjoying walks around your local area. Then if you feel like you can, pick things up by trying out jogging, a gym class or maybe swimming. By increasing your movement and the amount of calories you burn, the more weight you’ll lose. 

Being physical and getting outside will also do wonders for your mental health. So, if you feel like you’re struggling with both your physical and mental health, be sure to enjoy a walk in the sunshine. 

Understanding your triggers

On top of eating well and exercising, it’s also worth understanding what triggers you to eat stuff high in sugar and fat. It could be that you’re tired and craving energy, so try swapping TV binges for an earlier night. Maybe you’re driven by emotion, so if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, you may be more likely to crave stuff like chocolate or takeaways. The solution? Try swapping your usual treats with a healthy alternative, like our Salted Caramel Bites or Sweet Chilli Flavour Pop Squares. They’re super-tasty and you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

We hope you’ve found this article both interesting and informative, and feel empowered to make the changes that are right for you. So whether you’re worried about your weight, or just want to feel healthier, feel free to reach out to one of our specially trained Consultants who’ll guide you on the next best step for you.