UK BMI Map

The BMI map, issued by Slimming World, the UK’s leading weight loss organisation, puts people in the East Midlands at greatest risk with around 7 out of 10 adults in cities like Leicester, Derby and Nottingham now approaching the borderline between overweight and obesity. The map shows an average BMI of 28.9kg/m². The higher a person’s BMI, the greater the risk of developing life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

The trend is much the same across most of the UK, with increasing numbers of people in Scotland, the West Midlands, the North West and Wales presenting a BMI that is closer to being obese than it is to a healthy weight. In light of the statistics, Slimming World launches a “Let’s Beat It Together” community weight loss campaign on 22 February to get together with people in communities all over the country to help turn the rising tide of obesity together.

The data comes from a national survey by Slimming World and YouGov which also reveals that while one in three very overweight people believe there is a genetic explanation for their size, a significant 73% feel that the environment around them is the cause of their condition.

Average BMI breakdown by region

NB

Healthy BMI = 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²

Overweight BMI = 25 to 29.9 kg/m²

Obese BMI = 30 to 39.9 kg/m²

Morbidly obese BMI = more than 40 kg/m²

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