Number of overweight teenagers in England has soared by 50 per cent since 2008

The number of teenagers in England who are living with overweight or obese has risen by 50 per cent since 2008, according to new research. Experts say the sharp increase is largely driven by the consumption of ultra-processed foods and increasingly sedentary lifestyles shaped by excessive screen time.

The study, carried out by researchers based at universities and hospitals in Bristol and Liverpool, used BMI data from young people aged 12 to 17. It revealed that rates of obesity and overweight rose by 22 per cent between 2008 and 2010, and by a further 33 per cent between 2021 and 2023 - highlighting a steep post-pandemic escalation.

The researchers warned that being overweight in adolescence significantly increases the risk of developing serious health conditions later in life, including type 2 diabetes, liver disease and sleep apnoea.

“Over the past 15 years, obesity in adolescents has risen significantly due to a combination of increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, sedentary lifestyles driven by excessive screen time, inadequate sleep, and rising mental health challenges,” the study authors noted. They also pointed to reduced opportunities for physical activity and the impact of socioeconomic disparities.

Comparative data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows the UK has some of the highest obesity rates in Europe, with 64 per cent of the population aged 15 and over living with overweight or obesity — compared to 46 per cent in Italy and 45 per cent in France.

In a second phase of the study, researchers tracked young people over six years and found that those living with obesity were significantly more likely to develop additional health conditions. The risk of sleep apnoea was found to be eight times higher, while type 2 diabetes was 11 times more likely. The risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome was four times higher, and for liver disease the risk was 12 times higher.