One in three in Kirklees in overweight

Nov 27 2008 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A PLAN to tackle obesity in Kirklees is set to be reviewed by councillors.

The review comes as figures show that one in five adults in the area is grossly overweight.

Obesity is one of the major public health issues in the developing world and can lead to increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

In Kirklees about one in five of all adults is obese and one in three is overweight.

This is broadly in line with the national average, but levels are expected to continue rising.

To tackle the problem the Local Public Service Board has agreed an obesity programme, which aims to halt the increase in the number of people in Kirklees who are obese. Some 18% were classified as obese last year.The programme is in its early stages of being expanded. It focuses on people who are already overweight and gaining weight or are obese and supporting them to lose weight, using medical intervention where appropriate.