UK 'fat map' shows obesity hotspots

10:54am Thursday 28th August 2008

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A new "fat map" of the UK shows high levels of obesity in the Midlands, Wales, North East and parts of the South East.

The map, created by Dr Foster Research, suggests the 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. The data, from GP practices across the UK, shows that more than one in 10 patients registered with GPs in some parts of the country is obese.

Hotspots include Bexley Care Trust in London, where 9.1% of patients registered with their GP are obese, Barking and Dagenham primary care trust (PCT) where 9.3% are, and Medway PCT in Kent where 9.4% are obese.

The Shetland Isles has the highest proportion, with 15.5% of patients being obese, closely followed by many parts of Wales. The North East has a similar problem, including Wakefield District PCT where 9.3% of patients are obese, Doncaster PCT where 10.1% of patients are obese and Barnsley PCT where 10.8% of patients are obese.

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.

Alex Young, senior project manager at Dr Foster Research, said: "We need to wait a few more years before we can say definitely that things are getting worse but there does seem to be a growing problem in some areas. We are seeing parts of the outlying regions being affected rather than just urban areas.

"In the outlying areas, health services are maybe less available. In a city, the services are better, such as local access to GPs. There's also a certain amount of social stigma attached to being obese, it may be that these obese people are not going to see their GP. However, we need to bear in mind that some PCTs are better at recording the data than others (which could affect the results)."

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.

Estimates from 2002 show that people who are overweight or obese cost the economy £7 billion in treatment, benefits, loss of earnings and reduced productivity. By 2050, this figure could be £50 billion - almost half the NHS's yearly budget.

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