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Over half of adults in Jersey are classified as overweight or obese, new data has revealed – and the number is growing.
Released today by the Government, the Obesity, Diet and Physical Activity report for 2023 examined the latest data available regarding obesity patterns and trends in the island.
Express took a look at the main figures...
In 2023, less than half (44%) of Jersey's population was classified as having a normal weight, while over half (54%) were overweight or obese – a slightly higher figure than the one recorded for 2022 (50%).
The report states that, while the difference is not "statistically significant", it is "a trend to keep monitoring".
A higher proportion of men (59%) were overweight or obese than women (48%), which was also similar to previous years.
Those who "self-reported" 'bad' or 'very bad' health were most likely to fall into the obese categories.
Two-thirds (66%) of people aged between 55 and 64 years old were overweight or obese.
One-in-four children in reception were overweight or obese (similar to 2021), while the figure was one-in-three for those in Year 6.
Pictured: The breakdown of weight classification for different age groups. (Public Health)
Additionally, obesity was most likely to affect those living in social rented accommodation (63% overweight or obese) when compared to other tenures.
However, the report stressed that this association "is not necessarily causal".
In 2023, over two-thirds (67%) of adults in Jersey reported to eat less than the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
Around half (55%) reported doing at least the equivalent of 150 minutes of "moderate intensity exercise" each week – meaning they were meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity.
This was similar to 2021, when 52% of adults were found to do 150 minutes or more per week.
Pictured: The proportion of people meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines by gender. (Public Health)
The report notes that around three-quarters of islanders (74%) who rated their health as 'very good' and half of slanders who rate their health as 'good' met the physical activity guidelines.
The report explains that the different weight classifications can be sourced through calculating an individual's Body Mass Index (BMI), which is their weight in kilograms divided by their squared height in metres.
For example, someone 1.75m tall who weighs 65kg has a "normal" BMI of 21.2.
Pictured: The breakdown of weight categories by BMI. (Public Health)
The report's publication comes not long after the government released its Common Strategic Policy, which outlined the areas in which they want to make progress ahead of the island’s next general election.
One of the delivery priorities is to provide a nutritious school meal for every child in all States primary schools.
"The Jersey Children and Young People’s Survey data shows that only 30% of children report eating the recommended levels of fruit and vegetables. There is a clear role for Government to support children’s healthy growth throughout crucial stages of their development," the document stated.
Pictured: Jersey's government wants to improve healthy eating among children by providing "nutritious" school meals for States primary schoolchildren
"We will provide a nutritious school meal for every child in all States primary schools by December 2024, building on the pilot programme already under way in ten schools across the island," it continued.
"Meeting this priority will have measurable benefits for children, reducing inequalities and improving healthy eating, as well as helping to reduce cost of living pressures for families."
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