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Healthy Weight

Excess weight and obesity is becoming more common in Wales, and at the same time our collective ability to recognise what being a healthy weight looks like is reducing. This is a cause of significant public health concern, since carrying excess weight can have significant implications for an individual’s physical and mental health.

The benefits of being a healthy weight are clear, if we can keep our weight within a healthy range then we are far more likely to stay in good health throughout our lives.

How many people does obesity affect in Wales?

The proportion of children and adults in Wales who are of a healthy weight is dropping:

  • Between 2003 to 2015 there was a 4% increase in levels of obesity among adults, and a 3.6% decrease in those of a healthy weight
  • Around 60% of adults (16 +) are overweight or obese – with a quarter of those classified as obese

Many of our sedentary behaviours start in childhood. For example, many primary and secondary school children are taken to school by car, which sets in place patterns of behaviour that then repeat throughout life.

Visit Public Health Wales for more information

Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales

Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales sets out Welsh Government's ambitious plans, over a ten year period, to transform the way decisions are made in everyday life which impact upon our weight and wellbeing. The Strategy is set out across four themes: Healthy Environments, Healthy Settings, Healthy People and Leadership and Enabling Change.

The strategy will have 5 delivery plans in 2 year cycles. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 to 2022 delivery plan to stall. Welsh Government have refocused the delivery of the strategy with a revised delivery plan in light of the pandemic.

Small changes to a healthier you

Everyone's weight management journey is different and so too are the solutions to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Healthy Weight Healthy You offers range of information and resources that are tailored to your needs. Their 'Find Your Journey' tool allows you to find the right content for you, to give you the best chance of success. Find your journey today and shape your future.

The information you share with the tool is not stored or saved. Once you've completed the tool the data is gone, giving you the peace of mind you need.

Maintaining a healthy weight

The benefits of being a healthy weight are clear, if we can keep our weight within a healthy range then we are far more likely to stay in good health throughout our lives.

Healthy Weight Healthy You offers a range of information and resources that are tailored to your needs. Their 'Find Your Journey' tool allows you to find the right content for you, to give you the best chance of success.