Obesity numbers look to be slowing down
Weight has long been a problem in England, and it doesn’t look set to change anytime soon as new data reveals that nearly two-thirds of adults in England are overweight.
Public Health England has pinpointed the country’s most overweight areas.
Copeland, Cumbria, has the most overweight people in England, according to the. The analysis shows that more than three-quarters of Copeland's population are overweight or obese.
Doncaster, south Yorkshire, has the second highest population of overweight people with 74.4%, while East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, comes third, with 73.8%.
There is some good news though; the agency indicated that the rate of obesity and overweight appears to be slowing down.
Obesity not only affects your personal health, putting you at increased risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease and more, but it also puts a burden on the NHS as people get older and the toll of obesity-related illness rises.
Kevin Fenton, director of health and wellbeing at PHE told the Guardian: "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 £5bn each year."
In terms of regions, London is the lightest with just 57% overweight, while the north-east tops the regional league, with 68% of the population overweight. The north-west is just behind on 66%.
The government has given responsibility for public health to the local authorities so that they can focus on the issues that most affect their populations.
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