Lifestyle
Why Lifestyle is important
According to WHO, 60% of factors relating to individual health and quality of life are correlated to lifestyle1. Behavioural risk factors such as tobacco and substance use, harmful alcohol consumption, sex and relationships, physical activity and diet have a strong influence on health and can influence long term ill health. However, lifestyles and health-related behaviours are complex and influenced by multiple factors including wider determinants of health, and individual differences including: genetics, previous experiences, societal and cultural factors and interpersonal factors.
Risk factors
Smoking
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and the The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study identified smoking as one of the top five risk factors for premature deaths in England. To understand the impact of smoking on the health adults in Bedford Borough, please follow the links below to the latest statistics on smoking prevalence, the impact on physical and mental health and the number of people quitting smoking.
Smoking Prevalence in adults (18+) – current smokers (APS)
Smoking prevalence in adults in routine and manual occupations (18-64) – current smokers (APS)
Smokers who have successfully quit at 4 weeks and those that are CO verified
Smoking attributable hospital admissions (new method)
Smoking prevalence in adults (18+) with serious mental illness (SMI) (Data for 2015 only)
A new service called Choose You was launched in 2025 and provides easier access to help in creating healthier habits.
Drug and alcohol misuse
The misuse of drugs and alcohol represent an increased risk of harm, to the individual themselves and to those around them, as well as to society in general. Alcohol is a drug and its misuse is defined as when a person drinks to a level that is harmful, either in the short or long-term, or when a person becomes dependent on alcohol. It is linked to a range of health conditions including: heart disease, stroke, liver disease, liver cancer, bowel cancer, mouth cancer, breast cancer and pancreatitis, as well as problems with memory and social issues including domestic abuse and homelessness.
The latest available data for Bedford Borough on alcohol misuse can be found by following the links below.
Admission episodes for alcohol specific conditions (Persons)
Number in treatment at specialist alcohol misuse services
Proportion waiting more than 3 weeks for alcohol treatment
Sexual health
Sexual health is defined by WHO as encompassing sexual orientation and gender identity, sexual expression, relationships, and pleasure. They also include negative consequences or conditions such as:
- Infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and their adverse outcomes (such as cancer and infertility)
- Unintended pregnancy and abortion
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexual violence
- Harmful practices (such as female genital mutilation, FGM)
A sexual health and contraception health needs assessment for Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire was published in 2022.
Overall the report found that diagnosed sexually transmitted infections in Bedford Borough declined from 2019 to 2020 and in particular the chlamydia detection rate and percentage of 15-24 screened, declined sharply. Reasons for this are likely to be a combination of a change in sexual behaviour due to lockdowns and a decline in service use meaning fewer STIs are being detected. An exception to this was the rate of gonorrhoea in Bedford Borough, which increased very slightly over the period. Further demographic analysis revealed a clear pattern of higher new STI diagnosis rates among poorer groups and those from black ethnic groups.
You can download the report below.
For the latest statistics relating to Chlamydia and HIV in Bedford Borough, please follow the links below.
Chlamydia diagnostic rate per 100,000 aged 25 years and older
Chlamydia proportion aged 15 to 24 screened
HIV late diagnosis in people first diagnosed with HIV in the UK
Healthy weight and physical activity
Worldwide the level of obesity (defined as a BMI of over 30) has tripled since 1975 and in England the proportion of adults considered to be overweight or obese is approaching two thirds of the population. Obesity is linked with serious long term conditions including: type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, as well as musculoskeletal and mental health issues.
Obesity is a chronic, complex health condition with multiple factors impacting its development. Over 100 different factors have been identified2, including genetics, psychology, environment and societal. Despite this, it is a commonly held belief that weight loss is solely an individual’s responsibility. This can lead to weight stigma – the negative stereotyping of people based on body weight – which can cause considerable harm.
In Borough over 60% of adults are overweight or living with obesity. To help address this there are three interventions available through the NHS or commissioned by Council’s public health team. A new service called Choose You was launched in 2025 and provides easier access to help in creating healthier habits. In addition the NHS provides a Digital Weight Loss Programme and a Diabetes Prevention Programme.
For more information on local actions to address excess weight in Bedford Borough, please see the 2022 report from the Director of Public Health below.
For the latest statistics relating to obesity and exercise in Bedford Boeough, please follow the links below.
Percentage of physically active adults
Percentage of adults (aged 18+) classified as overweight or obese
Utilisation of outdoor space for exercise/health reasons
Percentage of adults walking for travel at least three days per week
References
1. Ziglio E, Currie C, Rasmussen VB. (2004). The WHO cross-national study of health behavior in school aged children from 35 countries: findings from 2001–2002. J School Health, 74 (6): 204– 206. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
2. Butland, B., Jebb, S., Kopelman, P., McPherson, K., Thomas, S., Mardell, J., & Parry, V. (2007). Tackling obesities: future choices-project report (Vol. 10, p. 17). London: Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills. [PDF]