The terms overweight and obesity (together referred to as excess weight) refers to when weight gain, in the form of fat, has reached a point which affects a person’s health (WHO, 2014). 

Excess weight  is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and hyperlipidaemia (high levels of fats in the blood that can lead to narrowing and blockages of blood vessels), which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and related mortality (WHO, 2014, NAO, 2001). It is the third largest biggest contributor to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) the number of "healthy years" lost due to ill health, disability or early death in England (Newton J et al, 2015). Being obese can reduce life expectancy by 10 years (NOO, 2010).

Income and deprivation are important social factors in the likelihood of excess weight (Marmot M, 2010).  As well as the impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals excess weight places a national financial burden in term of health and social care costs, on employers through lost productivity and on families because of the increasing burden on long-term chronic disability (Butland, 2007).

Over a fifth of Nottinghamshire children aged 4-5 years old and a third of 10-11 year olds are overweight or obese with this increasing to two thirds of the adult population. Four in ten pregnant women are estimated to be overweight or obese with nearly two in ten being obese. Rushcliffe has the lowest levels of excess weight in children and adults. The number of children who are overweight or obese is expected to increase by 5% between 2015-2019 and in adults by 4% over the same period. Morbid obesity in adults is expected to increase by 16% during this same period.

This needs assessment takes a life-course approach to preventing and managing excess weight. Physical activity and diet/nutrition are considered in separate chapters. 

Since the last JSNA refresh in 2012 there is an integrated Tier 1, 2 and 3 obesity prevention and weight management pathway in place. Over the next few years demand for the service will be monitored to identify if there are any unmet needs. Due to the likely increase in those who are morbidly obese, it is anticipated that the demand for Tier 3 service may increase.

It is also identified that there is a need to strengthen local assets to ensure that obesity is being tackled as effectively as possible within available resources. This includes utilising the impact that the wider public health workforce and different professional groups are able to provide, particularly working with planning colleagues.