Obesity figures higher than national average

More than one in ten four and five-year-olds in Tewkesbury are obese, according to latest figures.

A report by NHS South West reveals the levels of obesity and rates of physical activity in children in the borough are worse than the national average.

It also reveals the number of hospital stays caused by alcohol and the incidences of violent crime in Cheltenham is worse than in the majority of the country.

In Tewkesbury borough, there were 72 obese youngsters in reception classes in 2007/08, according to the report published on Tuesday.

It equates to 12.3 per cent of the children in that age group in the area – above the national average of 9.6 per cent.

The figures also show 84 per cent of 5 to 16-year-olds spent at least two hours per week on high-quality PE and sport in state schools in the same year – again below the national average of 90 per cent.

However early deaths from heart disease, strokes and cancer are lower in Tewkesbury than nationally and have declined in the past 10 years.

In Cheltenham, the statistics show there were 2,376 recorded violent crimes in 2007/08. This equates to 21.4 incidences per 1,000 people compared to the national average of 17.6.

In the same year, 2,022 people were hospitalised due to alcohol. This translates to 1,549.4 per 100,000 people, compared to an average of 1,472.5.

The health of the people of Cheltenham is generally better, with high rates of GCSE attainment and greater life expectancy than in the majority of the country.

When it comes to the Cotswolds, adult health and lifestyle is generally better than the average, but only around one in four of adults are estimated to be healthy eaters and more than one in five are estimated to be obese.

The report says 55 people were injured or died on the area's roads between 2005 and 2007, worse than the England average.

Dr Shona Arora, Director of Public Health at NHS Gloucestershire, said there is a positive story to tell in Gloucestershire.

She said: "Life expectancy is above the national average. Rates of early death from cancer, heart disease, and strokes are also falling.

However, while overall health in Gloucestershire is good, this is not true for everyone, or for every part of the county. Every year, far too many people in Gloucestershire suffer avoidable ill health or die earlier than they should."

Andrew Parker-Mowbray, from the Road Safety Partnership, said: "These figures highlight the districts with a persistent casualty problem."

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire police said latest statistics show violent crime is significantly lower this year than last. She said: "We are currently exceeding our target to reduce violent crime with specific emphasis on managing the night-time economy.

"We work closely with the licensed trade, in schemes such as Pub- watch, and with other agencies."