A NEW study has revealed that the Westcountry's waistlines

are expanding dangerously, in the first evidence that the

national obesity epidemic is creeping into the region.

Both Plymouth and Truro have featured prominently on a new

"fat map" which indicates that more than 8 per cent of the

population are so overweight that it is threatening their

health.

Researchers claim this is the first time Devon and Cornwall

have been highlighted in such a study, as traditionally the

outdoor lifestyle the region inspires has kept average weight

in check.

In a previous study in 2006, which used different

methodology and cannot be directly compared, the Westcountry

did not raise cause for concern.

But, after using the more accurate method of processing data

collected from GP surgeries and working out the average obesity

rate for each Primary Care Trust area, analysts at Dr Foster

Intelligence found that Plymouth and Truro both carried the

second highest warning level after finding that more than 8 per

cent of residents were obese.

Plymouth has its own PCT area, and Truro was identified as a

"fat city" because it is the largest conurbation within the

Cornwall trust.

Torbay fell into the same category, although Devon fared

slightly better with just over 7 per cent obesity found.

Being overweight can dramatically reduce life expectancy and

increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and

cancer.

The report, sponsored by Roche Pharmaceuticals, follows the

publication of the Government's National Obesity Strategy,

which warned that 90 per cent of adults would end up being

overweight in future if their diets and lifestyle habits were

not addressed. Such a situation would create an annual bill of

£50 billion.

A spokesman for Dr Foster Intelligence admitted the study

was not perfect. He said: "This is the best view of the data we

can get, but it can't tell you which patients aren't turning up

to their GP reporting that sort of problem.

"There is a stigma attached to being obese and there's a

whole list of reasons why the data we have isn't as complete as

we would like, but it's as accurate as can be."

Dr Matthew Stead, chairman of the Cornwall Local Medical

Council, which represents doctors, said "society needs to be

concerned" about obesity.

"People who become overweight can get into a very depressing

and difficult position where getting slim again is extremely

difficult," he said.

"Sometimes it's very tempting for them to blame health

professionals, or to blame their genes – but the number of

people who are obese because of medical reasons is extremely

small. It's a simple mathematical equation – if you take in

more calories than you burn off then it has to be stored

somewhere."

He said the key to a solution lay in educating children, and

encouraging adults throughout their lives to eat and live

healthily.

Dr David Salter, Plymouth City Council cabinet member for

adult health, said figures from the Department of Health showed

Plymouth was no worse than the national average, and in some

aspects better.

Dr Salter, who has a background in clinical trials, said: "I

wish to reassure people that we are not complacent about

obesity in Plymouth, but in overview it may not be quite as bad

as this study is indicating."

Obesity is defined using the body mass index scale (BMI),

and is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by

their height in metres squared. Anyone with a BMI over 30 was

considered obese for the purpose of the report.

All the PCT areas are working towards a strategy to

cooperate with other agencies to address the issue. It is

likely to be published towards the end of the year.

In Devon, the PCT's own figures show that more than a

quarter of 10- and 11-year-olds and just under a quarter of

adults are either obese or overweight.

Steve Brown, assistant director of public health, said

tackling obesity was a "key priority". He added: "Obese young

children are more likely to become obese young adults and what

that brings is a whole raft of potential issues, such as

diabetes and heart disease."

Dr Gill Lewendon, consultant in public health medicine at

Plymouth Teaching Primary Care Trust, said more than 200 people

had been helped by a community weight management clinic, which

was recognised for its "excellent" work by a visit from Public

Health Minister Dawn Primarolo at the end of March.

The trust has also established a free 10-week MEND programme

for overweight children, who can be referred by relatives.

The next available course for children aged six to 12 runs

from the end of September, in Plympton and North Prospect. To

find out more, call 01752 434623.

June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation,

said obesity rates were "alarming"

"Even losing a moderate amount of weight can help to improve

your heart, health and lifestyle," she said.

Lindley Owen, public health consultant with Cornwall PCT,

said: "Both our modern way of life and our everyday environment

make it difficult for us to get and keep at a healthy

weight.

"We are increasingly reliant on cars to get around, and are

spending more time on activities such as watching TV and

playing computer games."

She said the trust had worked with partners to encourage

people to eat healthy, local produce and to enjoy the Cornish

countryside while getting fit, as well as activities for the

over-fifties and the Cornwall Corporate Games being held in

Newquay next month.

Andrew George, Lib-Dem MP for St Ives, blamed a "fast food

burger culture" and cheap two-for-one supermarket deals which

promote gluttony. He said the British should learn from the

French attitude to food, where "quality is prized over

quantity".