At least we aren’t an overweight lot!

10:52am Thursday 28th August 2008

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IT may be the smoking capital of the south-east, have some of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country, and worst dental health among children.

But Southampton is today revealed as having among the slimmest residents in the UK, according to a new "fat map" compiled by researchers.

Data from GP practices ranks Southampton 146th out of 188 primary care trusts (PCT) across the country for levels of obesity.

According to the study, just 6.8 per cent of GP patients at Southampton and Hampshire PCTs are obese. That is compared with a 7.6 per cent rate in neighbouring Portsmouth. The Isle of Wight recorded having the fattest GP patients on the south coast with almost one in ten obese. Top of the league was the Shetland Isles, with 15.5 per cent of GP patients being obese, closely followed by many parts of Wales.

Dr Andrew Mortimore, Southampton's director of public health, urged caution over the publication of the figures. "Although these particular figures are encouraging and suggests Southampton is one of the better areas across the country, the rise in obesity levels nationally is a cause for serious concern.

"Our own recent research into the health and well-being of the people of Southampton is less positive. For example, figures show 32 per cent of children are overweight by year 6, with 16 per cent obese which is clearly not acceptable and increases the risk of serious health problems such as diabetes.

"This is why Southampton City PCT is actively encouraging people to eat healthier diets and take part in regular physical activity to help reduce obesity. Adults who are overweight or obese who manage to lose some weight will reduce their risk of potentially serious health problems."

Director of public health on the Isle of Wight Dr Jenifer Smith admitted that obesity was a problem and that a strategy was being put in place to tackle it, particularly among the young.

The map, created by Dr Foster Research Ltd, suggests the obesity problem may be getting worse when compared with a similar map published two years ago.

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Chairman of the National Obesity Forum Dr Colin Waine said: "It is important that people understand both the dangers of obesity and the benefits to their health of losing weight."