INFOGRAPHIC

CHARTING OBESITY
In the UK, the prevalence of obesity is continuing to grow, bringing with it a whole host of hidden
diseases affecting a number of body systems – from cardiovascular to skeletal.
JULIA ROBINSON

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Evolution of obesity in the UK (1995–2015) Obese people are more likely to become depressed because of poor
35% health or being unhappy with their appearance. In addition, people
who are depressed are more likely to become obese because of
Percentage of obese adults

30% physiological changes in the hormone and immune systems.

UK: 26.9% Risk of depression Risk of stroke

25%

20% OECD average: 19.4% 55% 58% 64%

15%
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Obese people have People who have depression Obese people have a
a 55% higher risk of have a 58% higher risk of 64% increased risk of
Least and most obese OECD* countries 38.2% developing depression becoming obese ischaemic stroke
3.7% 5.3% 9.8% 19.4% 26.9% 33.3%
Low High
Japan Italy** OECD UK US RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Korea average Mexico Excess body fat around the neck and stomach can lead
* The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) includes 35 member countries from North
and South America to Europe and Asia-Pacific **Self-reported to breathing difficulties causing sleep apnoea. It is also
thought that there is a link between obesity and asthma
but the mechanisms are not fully understood.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Obese individuals have more fatty tissue, which increases Airflow
their vascular resistance and in turn increases the work the
heart has to do. They are at greater risk of hypertension
and heart disease.
Normal Blocked
airway passage airway passage
Hypertension is twice as common in obese adults (sleep apnoea)

50%–75%
Adults with normal range BMI* Obese adults
Excessive body fat increases the bulk of
21% soft tissue in the neck, which can place a
Men
43% of individuals with obstructive strain on the throat muscles. The soft tissue
sleep apnoea are obese then blocks the airways , interrupting sleep

18%
Women
37%
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Obese people have enlarged fat cells that contain more
Heart disease fat. This is associated with increased inflammation and
Obesity can increase the risk of developing high impaired metabolic function, and can lead to insulin
cholesterol and a build-up of fatty deposits on the walls resistance, the hallmark of type 2 diabetes
of the arteries around the heart (atherosclerosis).
Prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in adults
Normal Atherosclerosis Non-obese 3%
blood flow Obese 15%

Blockage prevents Risk of developing Type 2 diabetes

normal blood flow
Blood
Build up of fatty deposits
on artery walls
Men with BMIs*
Artery ≥30 have a 7x
increased risk
of developing
type 2 diabetes

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Obesity is believed to account

for 80–85% of the risk of Women with BMIs* ≥30 have a 12x increased
Obesity increases the risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux developing type 2 diabetes risk of developing type 2 diabetes
disease (GORD) because fat exerts pressure on the stomach.
It also increases the risk of gallstones because of increased
cholesterol in bile, and of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
ADDITIONAL RISKS FOR WOMEN
Being overweight increases the risk of complications for pregnant

30% increased risk of colorectal cancer in

women and their babies as well as making it more difficult to conceive
obese men and women
Risk of miscarriage

SKELETAL SYSTEM
Excessive loading of weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and
hips, along with poor posture means that obese individuals are at The overall risk of miscarriage under In women with ≥30 BMI*, the
12 weeks is one in five (20%) risk is one in four (25%)
an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA).
Cancer risks
Excess fat changes the levels of sex hormones, such as oestrogen, in the body which can increase the risk of cancer
30% 30%

10% 12%
Men with BMI* ≥25 are 5x more increased risk of increased risk of breast cancer
Increased risk of

Increased risk of
ovarian cancer

breast cancer

Women with likely to suffer from OA. 20% ovarian cancer for 20% in post-menopausal women for
BMI* ≥25 are 4x 5-unit increase in BMI* 5-unit increase in BMI*
more likely to 10% 10%
suffer from OA
0% 0%
20 25 30 35 20 25 30 35
*Body mass index (BMI) is a surrogate marker of body fat which does not take account BMI* BMI*
of factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, and muscle mass.
BMI: <18.5 = underweight; 18.5–24.9 = normal; 25.0–29.9 = overweight; 30.0–39.9 = obese.
Evolution of obesity in the UK: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Cardiovascular system: Obesity Action, NHS Digital; Digestive system: Obesity Action, National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Cancer Institute; Skeletal system: Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center; Central nervous system: Science Daily, Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010;67:227, Stroke
2010;41:e421; Respiratory system: NHS Choices, Thorax 2008;63:651; Endocrine system: Diabetes.co.uk, NHS Digital (2017), BMC Public Health 2009;9:16; Additional risks for women: National Cancer
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL VOL 299 NO 7907 NOVEMBER 2017 Institute, NHS Choices; Other: Asthma UK, BBC Science, National Obesity Forum, British Heart Foundation. Infographic: MAG. Editorial adviser: Terence Maguire, community pharmacist in Northern Ireland