Obesity rises across the UK maps shows worst-affected areas
rates are surging in several areas across England, according to new data, notably in the Midlands and North East. An estimated one-third or more of adults in 44 local authorities are now living with obesity, highlighting a growing health crisis.
Doncaster, Stockton-on-Tees, and Walsall are among the areas where obesity prevalence has climbed above 33.3 per cent in 2023/24. Just five years prior, these areas, along with others like Durham and Hull, reported lower figures, indicating a concerning upward trend.
The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID) published these estimates based on the Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey. The data reveals a stark geographical disparity, with Lincolnshire's West Lindsey topping the list at 38.8 per cent obesity prevalence.
Hartlepool and Bolsover in Derbyshire follow closely behind, both at 37.9 per cent. Significantly, all ten areas with the highest obesity rates are located in the Midlands, Yorkshire, or the North East.
Of the 44 local authorities where obesity affects at least a third of the adult population, only five are situated in southern England, further emphasising the regional divide in this public health challenge.
By contrast, nine of the 10 areas with the lowest obesity estimates are in southern England, with the three lowest areas all in London: Islington (13.0 per cent), Hammersmith & Fulham (12.1 per cent) and Camden (11.0 per cent).
A total of 317 local authorities in England are included in the survey, meaning around one in seven were estimated to have at least a third of adults living with obesity in 2023/24.
This is up from around one in 25 (13 out of 317) in 2018/19.
There is a 27.8 percentage point gap between the areas with the highest (38.8 per cent) and lowest (11.0 per cent) obesity levels in the year to March 2024.
'Obesity is a global and complex public health concern,' the OHID said.
'It is associated with reduced life expectancy and is a risk factor for a range of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, liver, and respiratory disease.
'It can also impact on mental health.
'Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, colon and breast cancer, and improved mental health.'
The figures also show that prevalence of obesity is highest among those living in the most deprived areas of England, at 37.4 per cent of adults in 2023/24, and lowest in those living in the least deprived areas (19.8 per cent).
Obesity levels are estimated to be higher among adults identifying as black (33.1 per cent) than those in other ethnic groups, including white British (27.8 per cent), mixed (23.0 per cent) and Asian (20.6 per cent).
Some 252 of the 317 local authorities in England saw an increase in estimated obesity between 2018/19 and 2023/24, while 65 saw a fall.
There were 176 authorities that recorded a year-on-year rise between 2022/23 and 2023/24, with 140 seeing a drop and one recording no change.
All the data used by the OHID to compile the estimates is based on height and weight that has been self-reported by the survey's participants, which has then been adjusted to more accurately predict figures that would have been measured by a health professional.
Obesity Midlands Data
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Cancer: World-first 'Trojan horse' therapy to be given on NHS
A "Trojan horse" therapy that sneaks toxic drugs inside cancer cells is being made available on the NHS in England in a world can halt the blood cancer myeloma for nearly three times longer than current drug is an advanced form of chemotherapy that hits cancer with a bigger dose, while reducing Silvester, one of the first people to get it, says the therapy has been "life-changing" and he's now planning history-themed adventures. Myeloma – also known as multiple myeloma – affects part of the immune system called plasma cells. These are made in the spongey bone marrow in the centre of our who is 60 and from Sheffield, was diagnosed nearly two years ago after the cancer led to broken bones in his had a bone marrow transplant last year, but relapsed around Christmas. He has since been on the new therapy – called belantamab mafodotin – as part of an early access weeks he was in remission. Other treatments could have left him isolating in his bedroom for months, so Paul says the therapy "is absolutely life-changing" and was "creating that opportunity to enjoy" life. Visiting Hadrian's Wall is next on the agenda for history buff Paul; and he's looking forward to one of his daughters graduating later this year. "Most people say 'you look really really well'... I have a good normal life," he told the BBC. How does this therapy work? Paul's therapy - belantamab mafodotin – is a lethal chemotherapy drug that has been bound to an antibody, similar to the ones the body uses to fight infection. However, these antibodies have been designed to spot markings on the outside of plasma cells. So they travel to cancerous cells, stick to the surface and are then absorbed. Once inside they release their toxic payload, to kill the cancer. The therapy is named Trojan horse therapy after the siege of the city of Troy in Greek mythology, when a giant wooden horse was used to smuggle soldiers into the cannot be cured, but clinical trials last year showed the Trojan horse therapy halted the cancer for three years, compared to 13 months with current therapies. Prof Peter Johnson, the national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said the difference was "life-changing".He told me: "This is a really important development for people with myeloma, because although we may not be able to cure the illness, giving them time free of the disease and free of the symptoms is really important."We've seen in the last few years that using antibodies to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly into cells can make a big difference for a variety of different types of cancer." Around 33,000 people are living with myeloma in the UK. The new drug will be used when the first-choice therapy fails, so around 1,500 patients a year could decision comes after a review by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) concluded the drug was cost-effective for NHS use. NICE recommendations are normally adopted in England, Wales and Northern Ireland while Scotland has its own process. The therapy is kinder than other cancer treatments, but is not free from side-effects. After a cancer cell has been destroyed, the remaining chemotherapy drug will leak into the body. This can cause dry eyes and blurred vision. 'These are very smart drugs' The technical name for these drugs is an therapy was developed by GSK in the UK with early research taking place in Stevenage and the first clinical trials in Martin Kaiser, team leader in myeloma molecular therapy at the Institute of Cancer Research, said these "are very smart drugs" and the difference in side effects compared to other drugs "is really remarkable".While myeloma is still considered an incurable cancer, Prof Kaiser says drugs like this are "an important step towards a functional cure" and he thinks long-term remission will go "above 50% in the next five years".Antibody drug conjugates are being developed for a range of cancers. The limitation is being able to design an antibody that can target the cancer alone. There is one that can target some types of breast cancer. Research is already taking place on stomach and bowel McKinlay, from the charity Myeloma UK, said the approval would "transform the lives of thousands" and it was "fantastic to see the UK at the forefront of myeloma treatment".Health Minister Karin Smyth, said: "This ground-breaking therapy puts the NHS at the forefront of cancer innovation."
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
NHS green lights ‘Trojan horse' treatment that attacks cancer cells from inside
Blood cancer patients in England are set to be among the first in the world to access a pioneering "Trojan horse" treatment, health officials have announced. The targeted therapy, belantamab mafodotin, also known as Blenrep, has shown promising results in halting the progression of myeloma for nearly three times as long as current treatments, according to studies. Approximately 1,500 patients annually with multiple myeloma, an incurable bone marrow cancer, are expected to benefit from this new treatment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has approved Blenrep, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, for use within the NHS. NHS England has confirmed that it will be the first health system worldwide to roll out the treatment. The drug will be available to patients whose cancer has advanced or has not responded to initial treatments. Administered as an infusion every three weeks alongside other cancer drugs, this antibody drug targets and attaches to cancer cells. It has been dubbed a 'Trojan horse' treatment because it works by being taken into a cancer cell, before releasing a high concentration of a lethal molecule to destroy the cell from inside. 'Myeloma is an aggressive type of blood cancer, but we have seen a steady improvement in the outlook for patients over recent years as we have introduced new targeted therapies,' Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, said. 'I am delighted that patients in England will be the first to benefit from this new treatment, which has the potential to keep cancer at bay for years longer, giving people the chance of more precious time with friends and family. 'This treatment could be life-changing for many patients and their families, and that's why it is so important that the NHS continues to secure quick access to the latest, innovative treatments like this, at affordable prices to the taxpayer.' Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: 'We're delighted that people in the UK will become among the first in the world to access belantamab mafodotin for this indication. 'This recommendation demonstrates our commitment to getting the best care to patients fast, while ensuring value for the taxpayer.' Trials have suggested that the treatment, in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, delayed progression of the disease by an average of three years, compared to just over a year for patients taking commonly-used drug daratumumab along with the other treatments. Patient Paul Silvester, 60, from Sheffield, was diagnosed with myeloma in July 2023 and received treatment at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. The first treatment he was given failed to stop his cancer from progressing so he was given belantamab mafodotin through an early access programme. 'I feel like this treatment has brought the party balloons back in the house. It has been amazing – within the first two or three weeks, after the first dose, I was in remission,' he said. 'It gives me quite a lot of confidence in the drugs and it makes me more optimistic about the future. 'I've been feeling well and I'm still quite active – that's what's important in terms of your quality of life. 'One of my daughters is graduating from university in October and it's a goal for me to be there.' Shelagh McKinlay, director of research and advocacy at blood cancer charity Myeloma UK, said: 'It's fantastic to see the UK at the forefront of myeloma treatment. 'We have been working very hard for the last year to get this treatment approved and we know it will transform the lives of thousands of people with myeloma.' Health Minister Karin Smyth said: 'This groundbreaking therapy puts the NHS at the forefront of cancer innovation. 'By harnessing cutting-edge 'trojan horse' technology, we're offering new hope to blood cancer patients across the country.'
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Sickle cell patients to have quicker and more accessible treatment in England
People living with sickle cell disease in England are to benefit from quicker and more accessible treatment due to a £9m investment, the government has announced. Apheresis services, which are a type of treatment that removes harmful components from a patient's blood, are to improve across England through the funding of more specialist treatment centres. The funding will ensure the wider availability of machines that remove a patient's sickled red blood cells and replace them with healthy donor cells. More than 20 NHS trusts currently offer Spectra Optia technology, a treatment more effective than blood transfusions and having been shown to be highly effective in reducing complications such as iron overload. The investment could save the NHS up to £12.9m every year thanks to a reduction in time spent in hospital for patients and the reduced need for other treatments, according to the government. Sickle cell disease primarily affects people from an African-Caribbean background. In England, about 17,000 people are living with the disease, an inherited blood disorder, with 250 new cases a year. Wes Streeting, the health and social care secretary, said: 'People living with rare conditions like sickle cell disease face immense everyday challenges, and can sometimes struggle to get the specialised care they need. 'To make our health service fit for the future, we have to harness the power of new technologies, and these machines provide a shining example of how our government is starting to make huge advancements in digital healthcare. 'Through our plan for change, this government will be the one that removes the barriers to getting the latest and best tech to our NHS frontline, so patients can access the best care available, closer to home.' Prof Bola Owolabi, the director of healthcare inequalities at NHS England, said: 'This is great news for people living with sickle cell disease – a condition that disproportionately affects Black African and Black Caribbean communities. 'Sickle cell patients have needed new treatment options for decades and this additional funding will provide greater access to this life-changing technology which has the potential to significantly improve patients' quality of life.' Owolabi added that sickle cell care in England continued to be among the best in the world, with England the first country to introduce a groundbreaking gene-editing therapy, which offers a functional cure to the disease. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'Alongside this important step, the recent approval of a new gene-editing therapy for patients with severe sickle cell disease showcases the NHS's clear commitment to improving outcomes for the 17,000 people living with the condition in England,' Owolabi said. John James, the chief executive of the Sickle Cell Society, said: 'We are delighted to see the arrival of this long-overdue funding, which will improve access to vital treatment for people living with sickle cell disorder and their families. 'This announcement follows years of collaboration between the Sickle Cell Society and the NHS, and we're pleased that this investment will help make access to care fairer, more consistent, and far less stressful for many individuals.'
