Croydon is one of the fattest places in London with the majority of its adult residents overweight or obese, according to a league table of the country’s fattest towns and cities.

Overall 62.1 per cent of adults in Croydon are overweight or obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above.

This statistic puts the borough 10th in the London fat charts, with the worst borough being Hillingdon with 67.2 per cent and the best being Kensington & Chelsea where 45.9 per cent of residents are overweight or obese.

The report shows a similar position for Croydon’s children with the borough ranked in London’s 10th spot for children judged to be overweight or obese at ages four and five.

Overall 23.8 per cent of children at this age are thought to have weight problems compared to a London average of 23 per cent, and a national average of 22.2 per cent.

The other age group covered in the Public Health England report is 10 to 11 year olds with 38.2 per cent of them overweight or obese.

This higher than the London average of 37.4 per cent and puts the borough at 15th in the capital.

Overall, 63.8 per cent of adults in England are overweight or obese.

The fattest local authority area is Copeland in west Cumbria, where 75.9 per cent of people are overweight or obese.

The fattest region is the North East, where 68 per cent of people are overweight or obese, followed by the West Midlands at 65.7 per cent.

Public Health England’s director of health and wellbeing Professor Kevin Fenton said: "Many local authorities are already working hard to reduce obesity levels and these new data will help all local areas monitor their progress in tackling these long-standing problems.

"People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

"Excess weight can also affect self-esteem and mental health.

“Overall health problems associated with being overweight or obese cost the NHS more than £5 billion each year.

"There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity; it is a complex issue that requires action at individual, family, local and national levels.

“We can all play our part in this by eating a healthy, balanced diet and being more active."

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