Fat of the land!

LIVING LARGE: Obesity numbers are on the big side in Oldham

Nearly 70 per cent of Oldhamers overweight
OLDHAM is officially the fattest borough in Greater Manchester - and there’s no quick cure.

A report by Public Health England has revealed that almost 70 per cent of Oldhamers aged 16 and over are overweight — the highest percentage in Greater Manchester.

Professor Martyn Regan, Greater Manchester centre director at Public Health England, said: “There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity. It is an issue that requires action at national, local, family and individual level.

“Local authorities are ideally placed to develop co-ordinated action across their departments, services and partner organisations to tackle obesity in the local population.”

Neighbouring Tameside recorded a similarly high percentage at 69.2 per cent. Trafford had the lowest levels — but even that figure was 59.7 per cent.

Prof Regan added: “Public Health England is committed to helping tackle the levels of people who are overweight and obese in Greater Manchester supporting our local authorities to develop a broad programme of action to reduce levels of excess weight.”

He said that the data will enable local councils to understand the problem in their areas and monitor the progress towards the national ambition of achieving a downward trend in excess weight by 2020.

Carrying excess weight, which is defined in the statistics as having a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25, can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.