Estimating BMI distributions by age and sex for local authorities in England: a small area estimation study

Abstract

ObjectivesRates of overweight and obesity vary across England, but local rates have not been estimated for over 10 years. We aimed to produce new small area estimates of body mass index (BMI) by age and sex for each lower tier and unitary local authority in England, to provide up-to-date and more detailed estimates for the use of policy-makers and academics working in non-communicable disease risk and health inequalities.DesignWe used generalised linear modelling to estimate the relationship between BMI with social/demographic markers in a cross-sectional survey, then used this model to impute a BMI for each adult in locally-representative populations. These groups were then disaggregated by 5-year age group, sex and local authority group.SettingThe Health Survey for England 2018 (cross-sectional BMI data for England) and Census microdata 2011 (locally representative).ParticipantsA total of 6174 complete cases aged 16 and over were included.Outcome measuresModelled group-level BMI as mean and SD of log-BMI. Extensive internal validation was performed, against the original data and external validation against the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and Active Lives Survey and previous small area estimates.ResultsIn 94% of age–sex are groups, mean BMI was in the overweight or obese ranges. Older and more deprived areas had the highest overweight and obesity rates, which were particularly in coastal areas, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber. Validation showed close concordance with previous estimates by local area and demographic groups.ConclusionThis work updated previous estimates of the distribution of BMI in England and contributes considerable additional detail to our understanding of the local epidemiology of overweight and obesity. Raised BMI now affects the vast majority of demographic groups by age, sex and area in England, regardless of geography or deprivation.

Evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors in long-term survivors of adult- and childhood-onset brain tumours: a pilot study

“…A further confounder is that our control group may not be fully representative of the background population. The mean BMI of our control group was 24.1 kg/m 2 which is lower than that reported in larger population studies in the UK ( 29 ) and therefore may have amplified differences between our patients and controls. Our data are cross-sectional and would be strengthened by longitudinal data to determine timelines for change in vascular risk factors in our patients.…”

Influence of male body mass index on semen analysis parameters and in vitro fertilization outcomes

“…In western European countries, almost 90% of men in infertile couples belonged to overweight and obese category. [25] Several limitations of the study have to be taken into consideration when interpreting the results. The visceral type of adipose tissue accumulation and the adipose type of obesity are responsible for the harmful effects on the reproductive health of women and men.…”

“…In western European countries, almost 90% of men in infertile couples belonged to overweight and obese category. [ 25 ]…”

Relationship Between Household Activities Performance and Body Mass Index of Housewives

“…Many studies [20][21][22][23] have shown that the sociodemographic components which include age, number of children, number of family members, duration after marriage, and SES contribute to BMI. Hence, we examine the correlation between these sociodemographic characteristics to BMI of housewives.…”