GWENT is today revealed as an obesity hotspot, with three areas in the Top Five of a shock UK-wide table.
Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly rated second, third and fifth
respectively, out of 188 areas of the UK in the table, published by Dr
Foster Medical Research.
Almost one-in-seven patients aged 16 and over in Torfaen are deemed
to be obese, according to the figures, one-in-eight in Blaenau Gwent,
and one-in-nine in Caerphilly.
Only the Shetland Isles had more patients (15.54 per cent) deemed
to be obese than Torfaen's 13.9 per cent. The Blaenau Gwent and
Caerphilly rates were 12.5 per cent and 11.1 per cent respectively.
Newport was 19th in the table, Monmouthshire 63rd.
The Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent rates are three times higher than
that of Camden, bottom of the Dr Foster table with 3.9 per cent. Seven
of the Top Ten areas for obesity are in Wales.
The Assembly sees obesity as a priority problem and Local Health
Boards have been charged with developing and supporting projects on the
ground.
Among the schemes getting underway is F3 - Fun, Food and Fitness,
in Caerphilly county borough, a National Lottery-backed project
involving home tutors and targeting 8-11 year-olds and their families.
Diet and lifestyle changes are key aspects of the battle against obesity, along with healthy eating.
- Shetland Isles - 15.54 per cent
- Torfaen - 13.9 per cent
- Blaenau Gwent - 12.5 per cent
- Neath - 11.9 per cent
- Caerphilly - 11.1 per cent
19 - Newport - 9.9 per cent
63 - Monmouthshire - 8.3 per cent