4:04pm Thursday 4th September 2008
By Elizabeth Pears
A map illustrating the fattest London boroughs has placed Haringey residents among the most overweight in the capital.
The ‘fat map’, published last week by Dr Foster Research, an independent health study organisation, shows at least seven per cent of Haringey’s adult population are seriously overweight.
Neighbouring borough Enfield tipped the scales with 8.1 per cent of adults carrying surplus weight.
The report follows the publication of the Government’s national obesity strategy, which warns if obesity is not addressed, there could be as many as 12 million obese adults in the UK by 2010.
This would mean an annual heath bill of £50 billion to treat obesity-related illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Eugenia Cronin, joint director of public health at Haringey Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: “Recent research suggests seven per cent of the adult population may be obese in Haringey, but this is likely to be an underestimate as data collection relies on people attending GP practices.
“Haringey is likely to have higher levels of obesity than other areas of London, often because of poverty and social exclusion experienced by people living in the east of the borough.”
In 2006/7 12.9 per cent of Reception-age pupils were found to be overweight, and 23.8 per cent of Year 6 pupils were overweight.
Haringey Trades Union Council president Keith Flett believes low-income families are more likely to be overweight because of the higher costs of healthy foods.
He said: “There is some research that suggests being fat makes you happier, but in reality, having little money, eating poorly and being overweight does not lead to a contented existence.
“Obviously, individuals can do things about their weight, but if you can’t afford to eat a range of fresh fruit and vegetables regularly, your scope for weight reduction can be limited.”
The PCT said it was working with Haringey Council to help tackle rising levels of obesity.
Together, they have launched a healthy schools programme and a community-based childhood obesity programme promoting healthy eating and physical activity at children’s centres.
A physical activity referral scheme has also been put in place, as well as a healthy-eating programme for adults through GPs.
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