Council vows to reduce takeaway outlets with more than a quarter of Newcastle's adults clinically obese
More than a quarter of adults in Newcastle are classed as clinically obese, putting them at increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
The latest data (2023/24) provided by the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID), using data from the Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey, showed Newcastle has an estimated 28.2% of adults classed as clinically obese with a body mass index (BMI) in excess of 30.
This latest figure is down from 29.9% in 2022/23 but up from the rate of 23.6% in 2018/19.
Responding to the figures, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, health and prevention, Cllr Adam Walker said: “Maintaining a healthy weight is complex, and significantly impacted by the environment we live, work and play in, and the choices available to us.
“We know that a poor-quality diet, along with being overweight or obese, increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer and can have negative impacts on emotional well-being, partly by how people are treated unfairly due to weight related stigma.
“And both nationally and locally there is a link between weight and deprivation, with children living in the poorest areas being more likely to be overweight or obese than their richer peers.
“In Newcastle we’ve committed to becoming a Marmot City, to reduce inequity and support residents to thrive. Part of that is we’re shifting the focus from measures tackling individual behaviour to action on the fundamental causes of obesity in our society.”
A key area of focus is greater restrictions on the opening of new takeaway outlets, particularly close to schools.
Cllr Walker added: “The council has introduced planning restrictions to reduce the number of hot food takeaways and keep them away from schools and community centres.
“We also champion the Real Living Wage, so that residents have the money to buy healthier foods, and our work towards the Healthy Weight Declaration emphasises how all organisations and partners can play their part in supporting healthy communities.”
The most recent figures highlight how obesity is a problem not just in Newcastle, but across the whole region with the 10 local authorities with the highest obesity rates located either in the North East (3), Yorkshire or the Midlands.
Hartlepool has the second highest national rate and the highest regional rate with 37.9% of the population estimated to be obese.
Gateshead has an estimated obesity rate of 37.2%, Stockton-on-Tees 36.4%, Middlesbrough 35.3%, Durham 34.4%, Sunderland 32.8%, and South Tyneside 31.1%.
At 28.2%, Newcastle has one of the lowest obesity rates in the region, but is still significantly higher than Camden in London which has an obesity rate of just 11%.
The data reveals a north south split with nine of the 10 areas with the lowest obesity estimates in southern England, with the three lowest areas all in London: Islington (13.0%), Hammersmith & Fulham (12.1%) and Camden (11.0%).
The highest obesity rate in England is in West Lindsey in the East Midlands where 38.8% of the population are believed to be obese.
Responding to the figures, NHS England national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “Obesity remains one of the biggest public health issues we face as a society, and these figures show a small but concerning rise in the number of overweight and obese people.
“It is crucial we reverse decades of rising obesity rates and the associated cost to the health service, and those who needs support can access help through the NHS weight management programme via their GP.”
The prevalence of obesity is highest among those living in the most deprived areas of England, at 37.4% of adults in 2023/24, and lowest in those living in the least deprived areas (19.8%).
A Department of Health & Social Care spokesperson said: “This government has already taken action to tackle the obesity crisis by stopping junk food ads being targeted at children across TV and online, which will reduce the number of people living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver health benefits to the economy worth £2 billion.
“We’ve also given local authorities stronger powers to block applications for new takeaways near schools and we are commissioning research to improve the evidence on the health impacts of ultra processed foods.
“Through our Plan for Change, we will shift the focus from sickness to prevention, reducing the burden of obesity on public services and the NHS.”