The NHS has been criticized for saying that fat people are “living overweight” to avoid insulting them

The NHS has been criticized for saying that fat people “live overweight” to avoid insulting them.

The nonsense phrase is used online after soft-touch researchers said calling someone big is offensive.

NHS advice on weight says: “Living with overweight and obesity can affect your quality of life.”

And a report on its weight loss program adds: “The adult population living with overweight in England is 25.6 million, of which 11.4 million adults live with obesity.”

Experts call it “person-first language” and say it reduces discrimination.

But Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: “The NHS uses the phrase ‘living overweight’ as a politically correct way of appeasing patients.

“It is a misguided attempt to alleviate the fear of being labeled as fat. The expression completely falsifies the difference between BMI 26 and any size above.

“Obesity is a medical term that identifies a BMI 30 as potentially fatal.”

Doctors recognize obesity as a disease because it is linked to genetics and increases the risk of cancer, stroke and dementia.

But being overweight usually means carrying a few extra pounds.

Christopher Snowdon, of the Institute for Economic Affairs, added: “These clumsy terms are portrayed as being more sensitive and politically correct.

“Its true purpose is to portray overweight and obese people as passive victims of something they can do nothing about. It’s not useful.”

An NHS spokesperson said: “This term is widely used nationally and internationally.”