Almost 60% of Welsh adults are either overweight or obese, according to the results of a national health survey.
According to the 2012 Welsh Health Survey, published yesterday, 59% of adults are overweight or obese, with 23% obese. This is up from the results of the 2011 survey which reported that 57% of adults were overweight or obese with 22% being obese.
The survey also found that 34% of children were classified as overweight or obese with the number obese at 19%.
Twenty percent of adults reported fair or poor general health, with another 20% reporting treatment for high blood pressure.
Fourteen percent of respondents said they were being treated for a respiratory illness, 12% for arthritis, 11% for a mental illness, nine per cent for a heart condition, and 7% for diabetes. Twenty-three percent of adults said they smoked.
Doctors’ leaders have said the results were worrying.
Dr Richard Lewis, Welsh Secretary of the British Medical Association, said: “They show a worsening picture of overweight and obese adults in Wales with than 50 per cent of the population.
“This has serious long-term consequences for the health of the population with heart disease, respiratory problems and some cancers and year-on-year it seems to be worsening.
“The level of smoking remains consistent and the level of exercise that people are taking seems to be insufficient to reverse some of these health trends. It is worrying for doctors in Wales and the BMA.
“It is important that we have clear, comprehensive and continuing public health promotion in all health provision strategies for Wales.”
Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said: “It’s quite clear that the obesity battle is still being lost in Wales.
“This increase will only heap more pressure on an NHS already buckling under the weight of Labour’s record-breaking budget cuts.
“Carwyn Jones’ government needs to provide stronger leadership, better education and much-improved access to information.
“For the sake of future generations, we should be tackling these issues at their roots and supporting all families to live healthy lifestyles.
“Time is running out and swifter action is needed.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “While the latest figures for children are more encouraging, after a number of years of stability we have seen a small rise in the rate of overweight and obesity amongst adults this year.
The Welsh Government will continue to support national initiatives that aim to tackle these statistics. Programmes such as the Community Food Co-operative Programme and Change4life campaign form part of our broader response to helping people take personal responsibility for their own health by achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, eating well and becoming physically active.”
Other figures from the latest Welsh Health Survey
42% of adults reported drinking above the guidelines on at least one day in the past week, including 26% who reported drinking more than twice the daily guidelines (sometimes termed binge drinking).
33% of adults reported eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables the previous day
29% of adults reported being physically active on five or more days in the past week
Health of children:
95% of children were reported to have very good or good general health
19% of children were reported as having a long-standing illness, including 6% with a limiting long-standing illness
34% of children were estimated to be overweight or obese, including 19% obese