Researchers found significant variation in obesity prevalence by age, sex, socioeconomic status and ethnicity. This ranged from 4·3% in the least socioeconomically deprived white men aged 18–19 years to 66·1% in the most deprived black women aged 60–69 years, which was nearly double that of the least-deprived white women in the same age group (60–69 years; 34·5%).

Geographical disparities were considerable, with prevalence varying between 8·5% and 48·1% (an almost six-fold difference), with the largest increases over time observed in the most deprived regions.

Researchers noted that obesity affects nearly one in three adults in England, with disproportionate burden among disadvantaged groups and widening disparities since the COVID-19 pandemic. They also noted that increasing rates among individuals of childbearing age risk perpetuating intergenerational cycles of health inequality. They concluded that the intersection of sociodemographic determinants underscores the preventable nature of obesity and the need to address dimensions of inequality in prevention efforts.