Excess weight is a major risk factor for diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease. The estimated annual cost to the NHS in the city related to overweight and obesity was £78.1 million in 2010. This is predicted to increase to £85 million by 2015.
In Brighton and Hove an estimated 43,632 adults are obese and 6,500 are morbidly obese.
An estimated 14,000 children and young people aged 2-19 years are overweight or obese. This is predicted to increase to 16,400 by 2020. However the local prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 10-11 years is below the national rate and has fallen significantly over the last few years.
Obesity is strongly correlated with inequalities and deprivation.
Breastfeeding rates at six weeks are consistently much higher than nationally. Targeted work in areas of inequalities in the city shows an increase in breastfeeding rates in these areas. (Children who are breast-fed are less likely to become obese in later life).