London Health Commission global city comparison reveals obesity crisis in London

London has high levels of childhood obesity & the third highest percentage of obese adults according to a study by the London Health Commission.

The London Health Commission led by IGHI’s Professor the Lord Ara Darzi is an independent review of health and health services in the capital. In addition to speaking to over 15,000 Londoners and working with experts from a range of fields to help understand the current state of health in London, the Commission, undertook a global comparison of 10 major world cities. London’s health was compared with Sydney, Toronto, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Madrid and São Paolo.

The study indicated that Hong Kong leads the way in health outcomes for its population with the longest life expectancy and lowest infant mortality rate. By the time London children leave primary school, more than a third are overweight or obese, making it the highest rate of any major city in the world. In Tokyo, 37% fewer children under five die, while in Paris the figure is 14%.

Lord Ara Darzi, Independent Chair of the London Health Commission and Director of IGHI said:

“London’s health is at breaking point, our research shows we have the highest levels of childhood obesity and the third highest percentage of obese adults when compared to 10 major world cities. The capital has a higher rate of childhood obesity than anywhere else in the country, 22.4 % for Year 6 children in London compared with 18.9% in England as a whole. This cannot continue. We need to urgently get to the root cause of why we are not taking better care of London’s children.

“I believe there is a lot we can learn from other major cities in terms of helping citizens to choose healthier lifestyles whilst also providing them with the health, support and services they need. There is so much more we could all be doing to support people to live healthily, avoid risky behaviours, and be as physically and mentally fit as possible.

“Today we are launching our campaign to create a healthy London. We are asking Londoners to think about their health and wellbeing and to think about making healthier choices. I look forward to sharing proposals from the Commission which I hope will significantly improve the health of London. ”

For the past nine months, Lord Darzi alongside a range of experts from health, business, education, third sector, transport and local government have been analysing the current health of our capital city. The Commission has listened to the feedback from thousands of Londoners and will present its recommendations to the Mayor in October.

Just over half (57%) of adults in London do the recommended amount of exercise as described by the World Health Organisation – 150 minutes per week. A recent poll for the London Health Commission showed that most Londoners are willing to be more physically active, but think time and money are the two biggest barriers.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson commented:  “The Commission's research raises critical questions about obesity in London. We have already introduced a number of initiatives aimed at tackling obesity, promoting healthy eating and getting more active, including programmes to boost cycling and walking and our Healthy Schools London scheme. There is more to be done and I look forward to receiving Lord Darzi's recommendations when the London Health Commission reports back to me in October.”

Around 18% of Londoners smoke, in comparison to 13% in the healthiest city Hong Kong which has a ban on smoking in all public places including beaches, restaurants and public parks. Suicide rates, a combination of mental health prominence and cultural factors, vary a great deal across the cities but the research placed London in the middle. 

The Commission is considering what other measures could account for London’s obesity problem.