Scientists identify 'six categories of obese people'

Scientists at the University of Sheffield have identified 'six types of obese people'Credit: Anthony Devlin / PA Wire/PA Images

Scientists have identified 'six types of obese people' and suggest those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more are treated by clinicians and policy makers according to which 'type' they belong to.

The six obese categories are:

• -heavy drinking males
• -young healthy females
• -the affluent and healthy elderly
• -the physically sick but happy elderly
• -the unhappy and anxious middle-aged
• -and those with the poorest health

The research, led by the University of Sheffield, analysed people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above and took into account health, demographic and behavioural characteristics.

The study found the largest cluster was'younger healthy females', which was also the youngest group. They displayed the most positive health characteristics of all the clusters and engaged in some healthy behaviours.

'Heavy drinking males' showed similar characteristics except with respect to their high alcohol consumption. This group were also less likely to be managing their weight, although they did report above average levels of physical exercise and walking.

The 'unhappy anxious middle-aged' group was primarily female, had poor mental health and reported high levels of insomnia, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Their sense of well-being was relatively low, but they did engage in healthy physical activity and weight management, and had the lowest alcohol consumption.

The final three clusters captured different patterns amongst older people.

The 'affluent healthy elderly' was the least deprived cluster and had positive health characteristics (although included a large proportion with high blood pressure) and above average alcohol consumption.

The 'physically sick but happy elderly' group had a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions (including osteoarthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure) but exhibited low levels of anxiety and depression.

The final group, made up of those with the'poorest health', was the most deprived, had the highest prevalence of most chronic health conditions, and tended not to engage in healthy behaviours. It also had the highest mean BMI.

Our research showed that those in the groups that we identified are likely to need very different services, and will respond very differently to different health promotion policies.

In the future, we hope that GPs will keep in mind these six groups when offering advice to their patients.

– LEAD RESEARCHER DR MARK GREEN