Ethnic Minority Adults Misclassified in Official Obesity Data, Charity Warns
A leading charity has raised concerns that official figures on obesity and overweight adults in England are inaccurate, with approximately 1 million ethnic minority adults being wrongly classified as having a healthy weight. According to analysis by Nesta, a charity that promotes innovation, the current data fails to account for updated guidance on body mass index (BMI) measurements, which can lead to a misrepresentation of the true extent of obesity and overweight issues among certain ethnic groups.
The data from the Health Survey for England currently classifies 64% of adults as being overweight or living with obesity. However, Nesta’s analysis suggests that the correct figure should be 67%, representing a 3% difference that equates to around 1 million people. This discrepancy arises from the underrepresentation of Black and Asian adults in the data, with recorded rates of Black adults being overweight or living with obesity needing to be 13 percentage points higher, and Asian adults 18 percentage points higher.
The error in official figures is attributed to the failure to adopt new BMI calculations, as updated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) earlier this year. The revised thresholds reflect the fact that people from certain minority backgrounds have a greater risk of chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes, at a lower threshold than their white counterparts. NICE’s updated guidance also addresses variations in body composition across ethnic groups, highlighting that people from Black, Asian, and other minority backgrounds are more prone to central adiposity.
According to Parita Doshi, deputy director of healthy life at Nesta, "Reducing Britain’s obesity levels is achievable, but only with a clear-eyed understanding of the size of the problem and levels of inequality." Doshi emphasised that it is crucial for the government to ensure that the updated NICE thresholds are adopted in future publications of the Health Survey for England, to provide an accurate picture of the challenge of reducing obesity in the country.
The charity’s findings have been echoed by Jabeer Butt, chief executive of the Race Equality Foundation, who stressed that the analysis highlights the urgent need for better guidance and training for healthcare staff on assessing health risks for people from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic backgrounds. Butt also emphasised that the government must prioritise action on drivers of poorer health, such as insecure employment and poor-quality housing in economically deprived areas.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been approached for comment on the issue. As the conversation around obesity and health continues, it is clear that accurate data is essential for informing policy and interventions. As Nesta’s analysis demonstrates, it is crucial that official figures reflect the complexities of health across different ethnic groups, to ensure that everyone receives the support and care they need.
In response to the concerns raised, health experts are calling for a more nuanced approach to addressing obesity and health inequalities. By adopting the updated NICE thresholds and providing better guidance for healthcare staff, the government can take a crucial step towards reducing health disparities and improving the overall health and wellbeing of the population.
In conclusion, the misclassification of ethnic minority adults in official obesity data is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. As the Guardian reports, Nesta’s analysis highlights the need for more accurate data and a more comprehensive approach to addressing health inequalities. By working together to address these issues, we can create a more equitable and effective healthcare system for all.
Source: The Guardian
