Scottish Health Survey 2023 - summary & response

Headline findings from the latest data in 2023 shows that almost a third of adults (32%) were recorded as living with obesity, the highest level recorded in the survey since 2003. There has been a slight decrease from the previous year in the proportion of adults being recorded as living with overweight and obesity – in 2023, the figure was 66% (two-thirds) compared to 67% in 2022.  

In 2023, females were more likely to be living with obesity (34%), compared to males (30%). Females were also more likely to have severe obesity (6%) – recorded as a BMI of 40 or more – than males (3%). 

The data for children continues to paint a worrying picture. The 2023 data highlights that 30% of children aged 2-15 are at risk of combined overweight and obesity, and 17% are at risk of obesity. These figures are a slight decrease from the previous year (33% and 18% in 2022) but still nevertheless represent a worrying trend and means there continues to be a lack of progress towards achieving the Scottish Government’s ambition to halve childhood obesity by 2030 to 7%, as outlined in the graph below. 

With regards to children’s diet, the latest 2023 data shows there has been a drop in the proportion of children aged 2-15 consuming 5 or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day (in line with government guidelines) compared to the previous year – 18% consumed 5 or more portions per day, compared to 21% in 2022. There has also been a decrease in the mean number of portions consumed per day from 3.2 in 2022 to 3.1 in 2023.  

Dr Shoba John, Head of Obesity Action Scotland said: 

"It is deeply distressing to see the Scottish obesity levels hitting a record high alongside rising food insecurity concerns – it speaks to the missed opportunities in averting the crisis. Creating an environment where healthy food is available to all is the need of the hour. This would require clearing off junk food options and their promotions that contribute to obesity and making healthier food affordable to all." 

Maternal obesity data - headline findings

On 26th November, the latest statistics for maternal BMI in Scotland were published in the 2023/24 Births in Scotland report. This reports data on the weight status of expectant mothers at their first ante-natal appointment. 

The report shows rates of maternal overweight and obesity are continuing to rise. More than half of expectant mothers (57%) have overweight and obesity, compared to 56.5% the previous year. Specifically looking at obesity, the latest data shows that 27.7% of expectant mothers were living with obesity, which is a very slight decrease from the previous year (27.9%). Significantly, the data also shows that inequalities across deprivation groups remain. Just under a third of women (32.3%) in the most deprived quintile had obesity compared to 20.2% in the least deprived quintile. 

The weight status of expectant mothers matters for both the health of the mothers and their children. Babies born from mothers with overweight and obesity are two to three times more likely to be of a high birth weight (categorised as being 9lb or over) and maternal obesity is also associated with a greater risk of miscarriage, death during labour, and stillbirth.