170,000 obesity-linked heart deaths projected in England by 2035
6 reported
A leading charity projects that about 170,000 people in England will die from heart conditions linked to obesity by 2035, based on current trends. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) analysis estimates about 45 deaths per day from cardiovascular disease tied to excess weight over the next decade. The report, using Global Burden of Disease study data, found 16,156 such deaths in 2023, a rate of 28 per 100,000 people. Obesity is described as a significant risk factor for heart and circulatory diseases, leading to fatty buildup in arteries. The BHF chief executive warned the UK risks “sleepwalking further into an obesity epidemic.” Regional variations show the north-east of England has the highest adult obesity rate at 36%, while London has the lowest at 21%. The Department of Health and Social Care stated it is tackling obesity through weight loss drugs, business reporting requirements, and new product health targets.
What’s reported
About 170,000 people in England are expected to die from obesity-linked heart conditions by 2035.
The BHF analysis estimates about 45 deaths per day from cardiovascular disease linked to excess weight over the next decade.
In 2023, there were 16,156 cardiovascular disease deaths attributable to high BMI in England, at a rate of 28 per 100,000 people.
About one in nine cardiovascular deaths in England are attributed to excess weight and obesity each year.
The north-east of England has the highest adult obesity rate at 36%; London has the lowest at 21%.
The Department of Health and Social Care said it is rolling out weight loss drugs, requiring large businesses to report on food healthiness, and setting new product health targets.
Key figures
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation
Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson
Sources: The Guardian
