City ranks high on UK 'fat map'
PLYMOUTH is the region's obesity hotspot, according to a nationwide 'fat map' published today.
Almost one in 10 people registered with a GP in the area are obese, the new data reveals.
The city's rate of 8.8 per cent is the highest in the South West and in the UK's worst 25 per cent. It compares to 15.54 per cent for the UK's 'fattest' area, Wolverhampton, and 3.9 per cent for Camden in London at the other end of the scale.
The map has been compiled by Dr Foster Research, an independent information company.
Dr Gill Lewendon, consultant in public health medicine for Plymouth Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT), said it is unsurprising the figures show the least wealthy areas have higher levels of obesity.
She said: "The PCT and Plymouth City Council take the issue of increasing obesity very seriously and have been working with voluntary and statutory agencies on a range of initiatives to encourage people to live a more healthy lifestyle.
"For very overweight and obese people there is a comprehensive community weight management programme for people of all ages."
She added the 'excellent work' being done in Plymouth to help tackle obesity was recognised with a visit by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo in March.
City projects include a community weight-management clinic established in 2006 and now run across several sites in Plymouth including Brickfields, the Local Care Centre at Mount Gould and the Cumberland Centre.
There are also MEND weight- management clinics for children.
The 'fat map' suggests the obesity problem may be getting worse when compared with a similar map published two years ago. Although different methodology was used, researchers said the 2008 map is now revealing pockets of obesity in previously unexpected areas.
Along with Plymouth, Cornwall is among the areas with a 'high' prevalence of obesity, at 8.7 per cent, while Devon is classed as having a 'low' prevalence at 7.1 per cent.
Alex Young, senior project manager at Dr Foster Research, said Plymouth was an area of concern.
He said: "Urban areas might be dealing with the problem more effectively but in the outlying regions it seems to be getting worse.
"However, we need to bear in mind that some PCTs are better at recording the data than others, which could affect the results."
The map and accompanying report were complied using data from GP practices relating to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) for 2006/07.
The QOF includes keeping a register of patients aged 16 and over with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over in the previous 15 months.
Government figures suggest that two-thirds of adults and a third of children are either overweight or obese in the UK.
This could rise to almost nine in 10 adults and two-thirds of children by 2050, putting them at serious risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Obesity is usually measured in terms of a person's BMI – their weight in kilograms, divided by their height in metres squared.
In the UK, people with a BMI between 25 and 30 are categorised as overweight, and those with an index above 30 are categorised as obese.
People with a BMI of 40 or more are described as morbidly obese.
BMI, waist circumference, and ethnic group, may all help your GP, or practice nurse, to assess your risk of developing obesity-related health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.
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by paul, isleworth
Thursday, November 27 2008, 10:14PM
“The queue outside Ivor Dewdneys (who make very tasty pasties i might add) does say a lot about a city with the eating establishments best suited to a small town. The store I used to work in welcomed Subway a few years ago like it was some fresh food mecca - oh please. Boredom amongst the masses promotes boredom in the diet. There is nothing wrong with a pasty once a week or a jacket spud on another day but it is what is eaten at home that makes Plymouthians so porky - Iceland (the shop) must be clapping their hands everytime the bus from Erny stops nearby..more buggies means more cheesecake sales.....”
by RobRoy, Seymour all weekend!
Saturday, August 30 2008, 9:14AM
“Suzannah - sorry I missed your posts yesterday, I left work early to sort out a few things for the competition.
Yes, my friend did get killed. His parachute had twists in the lines on opening and flew him back into the front of the hotel.
Anyway, enough of the morbid stuff. Enjoy yourself in St.Ives, its one of my favourite places.
Thanks for your support and kind words. Tf you don't get back in time on Sunday evening you know how to get hold of me - I'll probably be sat at the bar again when you phone! Be nice to meet for a drink, no strings. Have a nice weekend x”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Friday, August 29 2008, 3:26PM
“RobRoy: PS It is true about my daughter's experience at school, she gets terribly upset and can't bear to hear about cruelty to animals, that is why I posted my first comment as I thought it was a bit rich that they wanted respect, when they couldn't respect animals. Perhaps I am wrong about this, and it is not widespread. I hope not.”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Friday, August 29 2008, 3:03PM
“RobRoy. Did you friend really kill himself in Park Lane?”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Friday, August 29 2008, 3:01PM
“RobRoy. Did you friend really kill himself in Park Lane?”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Friday, August 29 2008, 2:59PM
“RobRoy. I've already replied to you but it hasn't been printed. I hope I haven't been banned. Thanks for being kind, I appreciate it. I should not have put that first comment on the other thread, I am so impulsive at times, and now it has got me into a spot of bother. I portray this horrible snooty *itch, but I am not really like that. I just like to have a bit of fun, but it often backfires on me with the Plymouth mentality. I do like Trader Vic's though, I was being honest there. I hope the weekend is really successful and have a lot of fun. Sorry I can't attend but I absolutely have to go to St Ives. I see from Archie's website that you can donate via Paypal. Enjoy. x”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Friday, August 29 2008, 2:28PM
“RobRoy. Thanks for your comments, I really appreciate it . I suppose I really landed myself in it with the first post, but my teenage daughter does get upset with the animal cruelty aspect, but I should have thought about it before I posted it. I am so impulsive at times. I know I try to make myself come across as this snooty bitch who looks down on everyone. I am not really like that, although I have to say I do like nice places and do go to Trader Vics (there I go again). Its all a bit "tongue in cheek" really and I lot a reaction, but if often backfires on me. I think I might change my name on here, or perhaps I should give up posting as I always seem to land myself in trouble. You and Miss_Anthrope are my favourite posters because I like to see a free spirit and a bit of individuality in people. I hope you have a successful fundraising weekend and hope you enjoy it too, really sorry I can't be there, but I really have to be in St Ives. I see from Archie's website that donations can be made through Paypal. All the best.”
by RobRoy, South Yard
Friday, August 29 2008, 1:17PM
“Suzzanne - haven't you heard of typing and linguistic styles helping to identify people?
You're not very good at this.
Grow up and get a life.
Suzzanah (the real one) - almost makes you laugh, doesn't it?
Trader Vic's? Now that is posh.
The nearest I got to that was a few years ago when I used to skydive, a mate of mine did a base jump off the Hilton - it killed him. Haven't been back since.”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Friday, August 29 2008, 11:26AM
“RobRoy. Are you online todasy? Someone on another thread (about the bigots) is impersonating me. I put the first post on that thread, but am now living to regret it. All the rest (except for the one where I said I was being impersonated) at being posted by the same idiot as on this thread (suzzanne). What shall I do, people might think it is really me. Help please, I am feeling a bit upset.”
by Molly, Sutton
Friday, August 29 2008, 7:08AM
“Looking at the list of 20 below showing the other bad places stuffed with fatties Plymouth looks to be in very depressing and poor company. Sadly it obviously has a lot to do with income education deprivation and even class. Plymouth cannot hide behind the harsh fact that it matches the stereotype.”