1999/0190
THE HEALTH SURVEY FOR ENGLAND: ADULT REFERENCE TABLES 1997
The annual Health Survey for England: Adult Reference Tables 1997, is published today. The results include statistics on blood pressure, obesity, smoking, alcohol, self-assessed general health and long-standing illness.
Key findings include:
17 per cent of men and almost 20 per cent of women were classified as obese. This compares to 13 per cent of men and 16 per cent of women in 1993;
the proportions of men and women reporting that they currently smoked cigarettes (29 per cent of men and 27 per cent of women) were broadly unchanged from 1993;
29 per cent of men reported drinking over 21 units of alcohol per week, little changed from 1993 (30 per cent). There was an increase in the proportion of women who reported drinking more than 14 units per week - from 13 per cent in 1993 to 16 per cent in 1997;
36 per cent of young men and 14 per cent of young women aged 16-24 reported drinking, at least once a week, more than twice the daily amount advised as sensible;
76 per cent of men and 73 per cent of women assessed their own health as ''good'' or ''very good''. This has remained broadly unchanged from 1993 to 1997;
the average blood pressure of both men and women was lower than in 1993.
Notes for Editors
1. The Health Survey for England is an annual survey undertaken to improve information on the state of the populations health, risk factors for diseases and the precursors of ill-health.
2. In 1997 the annual Health Survey for England oversampled children and young adults and the report "The Health Survey for England: The Health of Young People" was published in December 1998.
3. The 1997 Health Survey for England included a total of 8582 adults who were asked detailed questions about their health and lifestyle. Respondents were also weighed and measured and had their blood pressure taken.
4. The 1997 Health Survey for England was carried out by the joint Health Surveys Unit of Social Community Planning Research, an independent research institute, and the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London.
5. The 1998 survey focused on cardiovascular disease and the results will be available later this year. The 1999 survey is investigating the health of ethnic minority groups.
6. Overweight is defined as having a Body Mass Index of 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2. Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m2. BMI is weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m2).
7. "Sensible Drinking" - The Report of an Inter-Departmental Working Group published December 1995 is available from Department of Health, PO Box 410, Wetherby LS23 7LN. Maximum daily drinking amounts advised as sensible are 3-4 units a day for men and 2-3 units for women; consistently consuming beyond this level carries a progressive health risk. Summary leaflets and other information on alcohol consumption is available through the Health Education Authority website http://www.hea.org.uk.
8. The reference tables are available to download from the Department of Health''s website at http://www.doh.gov.uk/stats/hstab97/intro.htm
9. Press copies of the report are available from the Department of Health Press Office .
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