Two-thirds in North Yorkshire ‘overweight or obese’

More than three-quarters of people in some English towns and cities are overweight or obese, according to figures

NORTH Yorkshire was revealed today to be the third most overweight county in England, with more than two-thirds of residents outsized or obese.

For the first time, England-wide data reveals the fattest and thinnest parts of England and the scale of the obesity crisis.

Overall, 63.8% of adults in England are overweight or obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or over.

The fattest region is the North East, where 68% of people are overweight or obese, followed by the West Midlands at 65.7%.

The fattest county is Cumbria, with 68.3% of people overweight or obese, followed by North Yorkshire and Staffordshire, both on 67.9%.

Copeland in west Cumbria is the fattest local authority area (75.9%). Other regions where people are risking their health include Blackpool (72.1%), Milton Keynes (72.5%), County Durham (72.5%), Fenland in Cambridgeshire (72.4%), Bolsover in Derbyshire (72.5%), East Lindsey in Lincolnshire (73.8%), Doncaster in South Yorkshire (74.4%) and Sedgemoor in Somerset (73.4%).

Professor Kevin Fenton, director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: “Many local authorities are already working hard to reduce obesity levels and these new data will help all local areas monitor their progress in tackling these long-standing problems.

“People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

“Excess weight can also affect self-esteem and mental health. Overall health problems associated with being overweight or obese cost the NHS over £5 billion each year.

“There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity; it is a complex issue that requires action at individual, family, local and national levels. We can all play our part in this by eating a healthy, balanced diet and being more active.”