Express & Star

Two thirds of Walsall are now overweight

More than two in three people in Walsall are obese or overweight, with the council leader admitting they had not been 'able to get a grip' on the issue.

Published

A total of 68.9 per cent of the borough's population are carrying excess weight according to Public Health England, more than five per cent higher than the national average.

PHE figures also revealed that 30 per cent of adults and 24 per cent of children in Walsall are obese.

This is also having a knock-on effect for health problems with Walsall ranked as one of the worst places in the country for diabetes according to the organisation.

Councillor Mike Bird, the Conservative leader of Walsall Council, said the council had measures in place to help the overweight but that ultimately it was down to the individual to turn their weight around.

He said: "Its been a talking point for many years but we don't seem to be able to get a grip on it.

"It's something that's up to the individual. As a council we're doing what we can to help.

"We're trying our best as you can see the with the two new leisure centres that we're building."

But asked about whether the new Oak Park Leisure Centre in Walsall Wood and Bloxwich Active Living Centre, would make a difference, Councillor Bird, said: "I'm not confident it'll make a difference at all. It's available and there for the people if they want to use it."

The figures come a day after one local resident made light of the issue by placing a welcome sign poking fun at the town's weight problems.

The 'Welcome to Walsall' sign, which has been placed on the rails of a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Broadway North and Lichfield Street in the town, features two drawings of an overweight man and woman with the message: "Welcome to Walsall, land of the fatties, be nice or be dinner."

Councillor Rose Martin, who is the portfolio holder for public health and wellbeing,said the council was committed to helping people manage their weight and that it offers a range of activities to help people shed the pounds.

As revealed by the Express & Star earlier this week, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust have had to transfer tens of obese patients to other parts of the country as they do not have the equipment available to scan the overweight.

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