Compare obesity with other health behaviours
Smoking and obesity have comparable health and economic implications, with obesity having overtaken smoking as the number one behavioural cause of morbidity in the USA, with the UK statistics following closely behind.
Comparison of impacts of health behaviours in England
| Obesity | Inactivity | Smoking | Alcohol Misuse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of adult population affected | 26%** | 61-71%* | 21%** | 6-9% |
| Impact on health and wellbeing** | Increased risk of chronic disease. Reduces life expectancy by up to 10 years | Causes 10% burden of many chronic diseases and 17% of all-cause mortality | Increased risk of chronic disease. Reduces life expectancy on average by 10 years | Increased risk of 60 medical conditions and significant social impact |
| Estimated cost to the English economy per year* | £15.8 billion | £8.3 billion | £5.2 billion | £20 billion |
| Estimated cost to the NHS per year* | £4.2 billion | £1-£1.8 billion | £2.7 billion | £2.7 billion |
| Attributable premature deaths in England per year*** | 47,700 | 25,200 | 73,200 | 12,000 |
Sources: * Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Annual Report 2009;
** Estimates by The King’s Fund based on Department of Health, Chief Medical Officer Annual Report 2009;
*** NHS Altas of Risk based on data from 2007
Obesity versus smoking
As healthcare professionals we are accustomed to talking about smoking, with well organised, proactive smoking cessation services.
As clinicians would we wait until patients present with COPD, heart disease or cancer before addressing their smoking?
Should clinicians wait until patients present with diabetes, knee pain, heart disease or cancer before addressing their weight?
Read more about the societal burden of obesity: 'How the world could better fight obesity'.
