www.nesta.org.uk/press-release/englands-national-obesity-rates-likely-significantly-higher-for-minoritised-ethnic-groups-than-previously-thought/
The UK Government’s statistics are currently underestimating England’s obesity rate, underscoring the importance of new guidelines which take into account variations across different ethnic groups, analysis by the charity Nesta finds.
The most recent Health Survey for England, published last September for data covering 2022, reported that 64% of people in England were overweight or living with obesity. But updated official advice on how prevalence of obesity is calculated for some people would likely increase this number to 67% - an increase equivalent to one million additional adults living with excess weight.
The Health Survey for England, commissioned by NHS England, measures obesity prevalence using body mass index (BMI), which is widely used to assess health risks related to body weight. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) revised its BMI measurement guidelines in 2023 and again in 2025 to recommend lower BMI thresholds for overweight and obesity for adults from Black, Asian and some other minoritised ethnic backgrounds. This change, together with a recommendation to use waist-to-height ratio in addition to BMI for some individuals, was intended to better reflect the higher risk of weight-related health conditions faced by people from these groups.
Applying NICE’s recommended changes would represent an absolute increase in measuring obesity prevalence of 13 percentage points in Black ethnic groups, 18 percentage points in Asian ethnic groups and 12 percentage points for Arab ethnic groups.
NICE’s updated guidelines are intended to reflect that people from some minoritised ethnic backgrounds are at greater risk of chronic health conditions, like cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes, at lower BMI thresholds than white individuals.
In addition, according to NICE's review, body composition –- including variations in fat mass and muscle mass –- varies across ethnic groups. NICE highlighted that people from Black, Asian and some other minority ethnic family backgrounds are prone to central adiposity. Central adiposity, which refers to the accumulation of excess fat around the abdominal area, is particularly important as it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality.
Alongside the factors flagged by NICE, there is strong evidence to suggest that systemic factors, including lack of access to stable employment, poor housing and financial insecurity, disproportionately affect people from minoritised ethnic groups. Racial disparities in these areas contribute to obesity-related risk and limit access to effective interventions, while the lack of robust evidence into chronic health conditions such as diabetes among minoritised ethnic groups is likely hindering the development of inclusive interventions.
Nesta recommends that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care ensure that the updated NICE thresholds are adopted in future publications of the Health Survey for England and other national statistics, to ensure that national and local strategy and policy is based on the most accurate estimates of overweight and obesity, as well as health inequalities.
Parita Doshi, deputy director of healthy life at Nesta, said: “Reducing Britain’s obesity levels is achievable but only with a clear-eyed understanding of the size of the problem and levels of inequality. But currently, official statistics do not reflect the most up-to-date understanding of obesity in England. Any government strategy that takes seriously the need to reduce health inequalities must prioritise action to prevent obesity and diet-related ill health.
“The NICE guidelines rightly capture variations between different ethnic groups, as well as highlighting health inequalities that are partly rooted in structural issues. NHS England and DHSC should look to ensure these guidelines are adopted in future health data publications, to provide a clear picture of the challenge of reducing obesity in the country.”
Jabeer Butt OBE, chief executive of the Race Equality Foundation, said: “With growing evidence that one consequence of the experience of racism over the life-course is poorer health in mid-to-later life, the analysis carried out by Nesta shows the urgent need for better guidance and training for health care staff on assessing health risks for people of Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds. However, this analysis should also make the Government prioritise action on drivers of poorer health such as insecure employment, poor quality housing in economically deprived areas, amongst other issues. Those who will conclude that it is individuals’ choices about diet and exercise that needs to change will have misunderstood Nesta’s analysis. It is improving health care at the same time as delivering change in the wider drivers of health that will secure improvement in the lives of Britain’s of Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds.”
Notes to editors
About Nesta
Nesta is an independent think tank focused on solving society’s biggest challenges.
Nesta conducts experiments with public and private organisations, builds and invests in early-stage ventures, and shapes policy.
Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.
For over 20 years, Nesta has worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we design, test and scale solutions to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk
