Government data reveals more Newark and Sherwood residents living with obesity than any other district in Nottinghamshire

More residents of Newark and Sherwood are living with obesity than any other district in the county.

Figures released by the Government Office for Health Improvement and Disparities show that in 2023/24 35.9% of adults in the district were estimated to be obese.

This is higher than the other six local authority areas in the area in the same period; in Ashfield 35.4% of adults were estimated to be obese, in Mansfield 33%, Gedling 30.7%, Bassetlaw 28.9%, Rushcliffe 24.2%, and Broxtowe 23.9%.

Across the whole of England 26.5% of over 18s were recorded as living with obesity, a figure which rose to 29.1% in the East Midlands.

The data is based on the Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey, with adults defined as obese if their body mass index (BMI) is greater than or equal to 30kg/m².

Newark and Sherwood’s 2023/24 obesity levels were a 6.9% increase on it’s 2022/23 result of 29%, and represented the highest proportion of obese adults it has seen in the last decade of recorded results.

The district has remained consistently above the national average in that time.

The Government’s supporting information for the data states obesity is associated with reduced life expectancy and is a risk factor chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, 12 kinds of cancer, liver disease, respiratory disease, and can also impact on mental health.

The risk and severity of these diseases increases with a higher BMI.

Grace Brough, consultant in public health and communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Nottinghamshire County Council recognises that keeping a healthy weight is important for good health and wellbeing, and supports local communities and residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“Being an unhealthy weight increases risks of developing significant health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. We are committed, both through the Nottinghamshire Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Nottinghamshire Plan, to supporting residents to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

“Nottinghamshire County Council funds ‘Your Health Notts’, a service that supports people of all ages in Nottinghamshire to be and maintain a healthy weight, to move more and to stop smoking. If people are seeking help or support, they can contact Your Health Notts by visiting their website www.yourhealthnotts.co.uk or giving them a call on 0115 7722515.

“Data shows that levels of unhealthy weight are higher in some areas than others. It’s important to acknowledge that the causes of unhealthy weight are complex and exist in the places where we live, work and grow.

“The food available and the built environment around us often makes it difficult to make healthier choices about our diets and physical activity. Nottinghamshire County Council works with partners to help improve access to healthy affordable local food, and to increase the opportunities in local neighbourhoods for people to move more in their day to day lives.

“These are vital building blocks of health which will help to secure the health of our residents now and in the future.”