In the 2009 Scottish Health Survey, 9.1% of respondents aged 16 and over had a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or above. When this proportion is applied to the National Records of Scotland mid-2009 population estimate for people aged 16 this equates to an estimated 387,572 people across Scotland with a BMI of 35 or above.

Treatment options are a matter for discussion between patients and their doctors. Clinical need is the main factor that determines the type, timing and location of any intervention required. NHS boards need to look at the services they provide for people with severe weight problems, to ensure that people have access to the services they need.

The following table shows data taken from the 2009 Scottish Health Survey. In line with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines – Management of Obesity (SIGN 115) - the table uses the epidemiological thresholds for obesity. No figures are provided for severe obesity as this is not a definition used in the health survey.

Obesity among Children Aged 2 to 15, 2009

Source: Scottish Health Survey 2009.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/scottish-health-survey/Publications.

The following table shows information on the number of patients in NHS Scotland receiving a procedure for weight management. All patients included here had a main recorded diagnosis of obesity. Data is for the financial years 2000-01 to 2009-10.

Source: ISD SMR01.

It is for clinicians and patients to agree, in line with national guidelines and frameworks, the appropriate support required by individuals for whom bariatric surgery is not considered the appropriate option.

This information is not held centrally.

The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies, including NHS boards and local authorities, to support implementation of policy. The management of local actions in implementing and evaluating national policy are the responsibility of relevant local agencies.

Officials together with colleagues from the Mental Health Collaborative, ISD and NES have met with each NHS board to discuss progress in developing workforce capacity, referral pathways and information systems to ensure delivery of the Psychological Therapies HEAT target.

In addition we published Applied Psychologists and Psychology in NHS Scotland in March 2011 which has identified the key challenges and opportunities in the provision of psychology services, and the role of psychologists in supporting staff from all disciplines to increase the capacity to deliver psychological therapies in the future.

This information is not held centrally.

There are no reliable estimates of the percentage of obese people with comorbidities.

At a population level, increased mortality and higher incidence of disease related to increased fat mass are seen most markedly when BMI raises above 30 kg/m². The Scottish Public Health Observatory has calculated that around 47% of type 2 diabetes, 36% of hypertension, 29% of colon cancers, 18% of myocardial infarctions, 12% of osteoarthritis and 6% of strokes can be attributed to obesity.

This information is not held centrally.