BUCKINGHAMSHIRE has been identified as one of the fattest places in the UK, with alarming statistics revealing that three in five adults in the region are dangerously overweight. The figures, released by the Obesity Health Alliance, highlight the urgent need for the government to take action in order to reverse the obesity trend in England.
According to data from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, approximately 60 percent of adults over the age of 18 in Buckinghamshire were either overweight or living with obesity in the year leading up to November 2022. This marks a slight increase from the previous year, when the figure stood at 59.9 percent. Additionally, an estimated 20.5 percent of adults in the region were classified as obese, representing a slight rise from 20.3 percent seven years prior.
Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, expressed disappointment in the government’s failure to enact effective measures to combat obesity. She emphasized the need for affordable and accessible healthier food and drinks to be made available in order to curb the rising obesity rates. Jenner further criticized the abundance of cheap, unhealthy, and heavily processed foods in the country, coupled with extensive marketing campaigns promoting them.
The issue of obesity extends beyond Buckinghamshire, as the figures reveal that 63.8 percent of adults in England were overweight or living with obesity in the most recent year. This proportion has gradually increased since 2015-16, when the Sport England Active Lives survey commenced. The study also estimated that 25.9 percent of adults across the country were living with obesity.
The British Obesity Society expressed significant concern over the growing number of overweight adults in the UK, attributing the trend to the rising cost of living, which leads individuals to opt for quick, cheap, and convenient processed foods. The organization called for a stronger focus on creating an environment in which making healthy choices is easier.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care reiterated the financial burden of obesity on the National Health Service (NHS), which amounts to £6.5 billion annually. They highlighted the government’s efforts to restrict the placement of less healthy foods in supermarkets, introduce calorie labeling on menus, and facilitate access to healthier food options. They also mentioned the allocation of £20 million for trials on obesity treatments and technologies, as well as plans to ban advertisements for less healthy foods on TV before 9 pm and online.
The data also indicated a higher prevalence of overweight or obese men, with 69.1 percent falling into this category compared to 58.4 percent of women. The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & West Berkshire Integrated Care Board has been approached for comment.
The investigation into Buckinghamshire’s obesity rates serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the UK in tackling this pervasive health issue. The government’s proposed measures to promote healthier choices and limit the influence of unhealthy foods are steps in the right direction. However, continued effort and collaboration from various sectors are necessary to effectively combat obesity and improve the overall health of the nation.
