An age‐period‐cohort approach to studying long‐term trends in obesity and overweight in England (1992–2019)
Authors' conclusion
Younger generations with higher overweight prevalence coupled with increasing obesity prevalence with age suggest that obesity should remain a high priority for public health policy makers in England.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals aged 5 to 85 years, Health Survey for England, 1992–2019; birth cohorts 1909–2013
- Exposure
- Age, period and birth cohort trends in obesity and overweight vs healthy weight
- Outcome
- Odds of obesity and of overweight vs healthy weight (BMI-classified) by age, period and birth cohort
Methodological detailslogistic regression, categorical age, period and cohort groups
- Logistic regression
- Categorical age, period and cohort groups
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Age, period and cohort trends in obesity and overweight
- Significant variation in age trajectories by birth cohort for healthy weight and obesity prevalence
- Odds of obesity vs healthy weight increased consistently with age
- Odds of obesity increased throughout the study period, faster between 1992 and 2001
- Odds of obesity higher for birth cohorts born 1989–2008
- Odds of overweight showed an inverted U-shape among children and increased through adulthood
- Odds of overweight stable since 2012
- Odds of overweight considerably higher for the youngest birth cohort (2009-2013)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
An age‐period‐cohort approach to studying long‐term trends in obesity and overweight in England (1992–2019). Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 6 February 2023. doi:10.
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