Two areas in Lincolnshire are among the places with the highest obesity rates across the UK. The obesity rates of more than 300 UK areas were analysed by health experts who found that Boston and South Holland had some of the highest.
The research found that 73.4 per cent of people in Boston are either overweight or obese, putting the town 10th in the rankings. South Holland was not far behind with 72.9 per cent of its population being overweight or obese, making it 13th on the list.
Top of the rankings was Thurrock with a percentage of 76.3, followed by Stockon-on-Tees at 75.8 and Tamworth at 74.9. The lowest obesity rates were found in London areas such as Islington, Westminster and Richmond upon Thames.
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Andy Fox, Assistant Director of Public Health at Lincolnshire County Council, said the coronavirus pandemic was a major contributor. He said: “We know that overweight and obese numbers are too high across the country. The impact of Covid has meant that many people have found it harder to maintain a healthy weight.
“Getting the right support is important to effectively tackle this issue, which is why the county council is investing further in helping children and families to work together in a fun way to get healthier through our ‘Gloji Energy’ offer. Managed by One You Lincolnshire, they also offer support to adults who are overweight who would like to get healthier, including help to eat better, move more, drink less and to give up smoking.”
Navin Khosla, medical writer at Now Patient which carried out the study, said: “With obesity levels rising across the world, many people are trying to manage and lose weight. And with the drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which are available from an online NHS pharmacy, making the headlines recently, it just highlights the lengths people will go to improve that number on the scale.
“That’s why we wanted to find out which areas of the UK have the biggest obesity problem.”
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