Alcohol consumption varies markedly with social class in women. Professional women are three times as likely to drink more than the recommended amount than those in unskilled manual jobs, with the proportion drinking at excess levels rising most rapidly in this group over the last decade. Men and women in unskilled manual jobs are more than twice as likely to report this lack of social support compared to those in professional employment. People on low incomes and those living in London are more likely to report high GHQ12 scores. Overweight and obesity are also common in children.
Obesity is also more common in adults employed in manual occupations, particularly in women.
The percentage of people who are overweight or obese is increasing. The prevalence of high blood pressure increases with age in both men and women. Of those that are treated, over two-thirds remain hypertensive. These percentages increase with age in both men and women. Blood cholesterol levels in England are high by international standards, especially in women.