The line graph illustrates the percentage of people suffering from obesity in four different age rates between 1971 and 2005
Overall, obesity rates rose considerably across all age categories during the period shown. People aged 45-64 recorded the highest proportions throughout most years, whereas the youngest group, aged 18-29, consistently had the lowest obesity levels.
In 1971, obesity affected approximately 8% of people aged 18-29, compared with around 15% among those aged 30-44. The figures for the two older groups were slightly higher, at about 17-18%. Over the following decades, all categories experienced substantial increases. By 1999, the rate for people aged 45-64 had climbed dramatically to around 36%, while the percentage for the 65-74 group reached a similar level.
After 1999, trends became more stable for some age groups. The obesity rate among 18-29-year-olds rose gradually to approximately 24% by 2005. Meanwhile, the figure for the 30-44 category increased steadily to roughly 35%. The 45-64 group saw another notable rise at the end of the period, peaking at just above 40% in 2005, which was the highest figure overall.