In 2021, the mean body mass index (BMI) of men in England stood at 27.5, while the mean BMI for women was 27.2. Since 1998, mean BMI has creeped steadily upwards among both men and women. According to the NHS, a BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is classified as ideal for most adults, while a BMI of 25 and over is generally regarded as being overweight.
Mean body mass index (BMI) of individuals in England from 1993 to 2021, by gender
* Weighted bases in 2021: n (men) = 2,664, n (women) = 2,690 Based on those with valid height and weight measurements up to 2019. In 2021 BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight measurements.
Data up to and including 2002 are unweighted; from 2003 onwards data have been weighted for non-response.
No data was collected in 2020 due to the pandemic.
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NHS Digital. (December 15, 2022). Mean body mass index (BMI) of individuals in England from 1993 to 2021, by gender [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/333865/bmi-of-individual-by-gender-in-england-uk/
NHS Digital. "Mean body mass index (BMI) of individuals in England from 1993 to 2021, by gender." Chart. December 15, 2022. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/333865/bmi-of-individual-by-gender-in-england-uk/
NHS Digital. (2022). Mean body mass index (BMI) of individuals in England from 1993 to 2021, by gender. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/333865/bmi-of-individual-by-gender-in-england-uk/
NHS Digital. "Mean Body Mass Index (Bmi) of Individuals in England from 1993 to 2021, by Gender." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Dec 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/333865/bmi-of-individual-by-gender-in-england-uk/
NHS Digital, Mean body mass index (BMI) of individuals in England from 1993 to 2021, by gender Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/333865/bmi-of-individual-by-gender-in-england-uk/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Mean body mass index (BMI) of individuals in England from 1993 to 2021, by gender [Graph], NHS Digital, December 15, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/333865/bmi-of-individual-by-gender-in-england-uk/
