60 Per Cent Of Adults Are Overweight On The Isle Of Wight

Wednesday, 29 July 2020 17:47

By Oliver Dyer @olidyer

Latest Public Health England figures show that 63 per cent of adults on the Isle of Wight are classed as overweight or obese.

The news comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson launches his UK-wide health kick.

Data from 2018/19 (the latest available) reveals the Island is above the average for obesity in the South East region, which stands at 61 per cent.

Separate figures also show that 24 per cent of 4 to 5-year-olds on the Island were overweight or obese during the same time period.

That number climbed to 33 per cent for pupils in their final year of primary school, Year 6.

Dr Michelle Legg, clinical chair for the Isle of Wight CCG, says this is something that needs to be addressed:

"We all know that we should be exercising more and eating healthier and now we have got a really good reason to do so.

"In the past, you know you have to do it but you can put it in the back boiler but now we know the complications with coronavirus are really real and I think we've also got an opportunity to get for winter."

A strategy to help people lose weight was announced by the Government earlier this week. Boris Johnson has previously spoke about struggles with his own weight.

Among the new measures include a ban on some junk food promotions - including bringing an end to the 'buy one get one free' deal on certain unhealthy products - and stricter advertising controls.

Dr Legg says Islanders should get on their bikes more as well. She said:

"Cycling can be done as a family. If you don't want to get a bike or can't afford to get a bike you can certainly get out every day and walk really quickly, so that you're sweating.

"That's considered exercise not slow walking. And you've got the opportunity to get out, get fit and eat healthier and hopefully you can lose a bit of weight and reduce your risk of complications from covid."

Recently Played

Since U Been Gone

Kelly Clarkson
Download
Selfish

Justin Timberlake
Download
Heart Skips A Beat

Olly Murs
Download

Four Men Arrested Following Rogue Trader Activities In East Cowes
Four rogue traders have been arrested following a series of aggressive and fraudulent interactions on the Isle of Wight.
Rugby Players Set To Scale Great Heights For Teddy
The Ward family have a massive personal mountain to climb – Jess and Dan’s son, Teddy, aged just 22 months, has been diagnosed with the life-limiting condition called mitochondrial disease.
Drug Driving, Domestic Abuse And Stalking Among Arrests Made As Police Target Isle Of Wight Criminals
Policing teams across the Isle of Wight have joined together as part of a high visibility proactive effort to tackle Island criminality.
Work Begins On ‘Monumental’ Mural Project At Historic Columbine Building
APRIL marks the beginning of an ambitious artistic endeavour as muralist Alice Malia, along with a team of eight talented local artists, starts the creation of a large-scale mural on the Columbine Building in East Cowes.

60 Per Cent Of Adults Are Overweight On The Isle Of Wight

Share

More from Isle of Wight News

Recently Played