BARNSLEY was today named and shamed as an obesity hotspot with one in three children aged 10 to 11 overweight and one in every 20 adults morbidly obese.
The high number of overweight children and adults has earned Barnsley a ranking in the shaming top 10 of fat towns.
Barnsley has been identified as an obesity hotspot - the eighth highest place in the country for risk of obesity.
Experts say th
e weight problems is one of the main reasons why life expectancy in Barnsley is much lower than the national average
Now a three-pronged Healthy Weight Strategy, action plan and Food Strategy have been agreed by Barnsley Council's cabinet members in a bid to tackle obesity.
Coun David Bostwick, cabinet spokesman for health and adult services, said: "The adoption of the Healthy Weight Strategy and action plan will enable a co-ordinated response to this major public health issue for the borough, bringing together a range of partners who need to work together."
Life expectancy in Barnsley is lower than in other parts of the country - as much as 11 years less in the most deprived parts of the borough.
Cabinet members were told obesity is a major contributor to those health inequalities because it increases risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and depression and shortens life – by 10 years on average. Officials say being overweight also impacts negatively on an individual's self-esteem, mental wellbeing, performance at school and levels of employment.
What do you think? Add your comment below.Obesity levels in Barnsley have trebled since the 1980s and is officials say it the biggest public health issue facing the borough today.
A council spokesman said: "In Barnsley consumption of fruit and vegetables is low, with diets high in fat sugar and salt. There are low levels of physical activity and rising car use.
"A range of approaches are underway to prevent and reduce obesity in the population as a whole, particularly among children.
"The Barnsley Food Strategy and action plan will provide a co-ordinated approach to improve diet and reduce levels of obesity in Barnsley as well as addressing economic and environmental issues in relation to food.
"Some £2.4 million of health funding has been committed to tackle obesity in Barnsley between 2008 and 2012. In addition to this the Primary Care Trust has identified and extra £500,000 per year of recurrent funding in the Local Delivery Plan.
"The Government has also announced the opportunity for local authorities and PCTs to put forward joint bids for up to £5million of match funding to help develop Healthy Towns, as the next step for delivering on the cross government obesity strategy and we welcome that news."
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