New research to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) in Malaga, Spain, reveals a worrying trend in adolescent obesity in England, with the proportion of adolescents living with overweight or obesity rising by 50% over the past 15 years. The study, led by Dr. Dinesh Giri, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, and Dr. Senthil Senniappan, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, highlights the significant increase in adolescent obesity, from 22% in 2008-2010 to 33% in 2021-2023.
The research, based on two studies, aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 12-17 in England using routine healthcare data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and Hospital Episode Statistics. By linking primary and secondary care data, the study identified trends in adolescent body mass index (BMI) and its association with the onset of various comorbidities during adolescence.
Adolescents with BMI measurements at or above the 91st centile were categorized as overweight, while those at or above the 98th centile were classified as obese. The findings revealed a steady increase in overweight and obesity prevalence over the years, with a significant spike during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study also found that adolescents living with overweight or obesity were disproportionately from the most deprived socioeconomic backgrounds. Of the 139,258 adolescents with overweight and 140,990 with obesity, a higher proportion (26% for overweight and 31% for obesity) lived in the most deprived geographies, compared to 22% of those with healthy weight.
The researchers also observed a higher risk of comorbidities among those with overweight or obesity. The onset of mental health, physical health, and cardiometabolic issues during adolescence was more pronounced in those with obesity. Specifically, 8.6% of adolescents with obesity developed mental health issues, compared to 7.8% with overweight and 7.1% with healthy weight. Similarly, 11.6% of adolescents with obesity experienced physical health problems, and 3.1% faced cardiometabolic conditions, a stark contrast to the lower incidence rates in those with healthy weight.
The second study delved into the risks associated with a range of comorbidities in more detail. Over a six-year follow-up period, the researchers found that adolescents with overweight or obesity were at significantly higher risk for a variety of conditions. For instance, the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea was three times higher in those with overweight and eight times higher in those with obesity. Other conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, were also more common in adolescents with higher BMI.
The authors of the study conclude that the burden of adolescent obesity in England has become substantial, with a sharp increase in prevalence over the last 15 years. They note that rising obesity rates are driven by factors such as increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, excessive screen time, inadequate sleep, and mental health challenges. Reduced opportunities for physical activity, combined with socioeconomic disparities, have further contributed to an environment that promotes unhealthy habits.
The study emphasizes the long-term impact of adolescent obesity, as many weight-related comorbidities continue into adulthood. The authors argue that addressing obesity in adolescence is crucial to reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. They call for an increased focus on weight management and preventive measures, particularly in adolescents, to improve overall health outcomes.
As the study highlights, addressing adolescent obesity is not just a matter of improving diet and exercise, but also tackling broader societal challenges such as mental health, socioeconomic inequality, and access to healthcare.
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