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.
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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."
9 Comments
by T, Tewkesbury
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 2:30PM
“Just one of the reasons why Tewkesbury Youth Centre is looking to secure external funding to instal an outside free to use gym on its site.”
by Rebecca, Tewkesbury
Friday, July 03 2009, 9:41AM
“Neil (2), you´re right, i´m living in Spain at the moment and the amount of obese people is close to nothing compared to those wandering around Tewkesbury, it´s a welcome relief here!
I think it´s appalling that people can´t take care of themselves to a certain degree - it doesn´t take much to substitute certain foods!
As for Mr Arbunkles´s statement, i´m much rather carry on as long as I can feeling as good as I can rather than fester and live considerably less being obese, thankyou very much!”
by Mr Arbuckle, Burgerland
Thursday, July 02 2009, 5:09PM
“As a fat person I have been told I may have a reduced life span. This is not as bad as it sounds, if it means that I will not have to spend years trying to live on an inadequate pension or to try and continue working past a reasonable age. By living a healthy lifestyle I will live longer? No, by living a healthy lifestyle I will spend longer being old and a possible burden on the more and more uncaring state. Remember, its better to burn out than fade away.”
by Neil (2), Cheltenham
Thursday, July 02 2009, 3:33PM
“Personally, I do not feel smug about being slim, but I am absolutely appalled by the numbers of young adults, male and female, many of whom are in their 20s and early 30s, who are morbidly obese and clearly have little self respect, or any respect at all for their own bodies. One does not see such grotesque sights on the Continent where their are far fewer take-away junk food outlets. I am convinced this is a prime cause of the grossly overweight young people we see on our streets.”
by LC, The Fod
Thursday, July 02 2009, 12:21PM
“I have to admit the smugness you get from being slim can be quite satisfying.
I think too much emphasis is placed on eating healthily when it's really only half the battle. Most people don't seem to realise that to actually lose the weight, they have to burn it off by way of exercising.”
by Alfredo, Cheltenham
Thursday, July 02 2009, 11:37AM
“Neil (2) - you're not the only one. Have you also noticed that the world isn't, in fact, getting smaller? It just feels like it is because people are getting bigger.
Slim people. We're just better.”
by Neil (2), Cheltenham
Thursday, July 02 2009, 11:33AM
“One does not have to be an "expert" in anything to see the growing numbers of morbidly and grossly obese people, both children and adults, in and around Gloucestershire (and the rest of the country for that matter). One also notices the tendancy, for the adults at least, to just buy larger and larger clothes, and bigger cars which can accomodate their huge morbidly obese bodies, rather than attempt to lose some weight. I haven't even mentioned their tendancy to wear summer clothing which, rather than hiding it, emphasises their grotesque rolls of body fat. I cannot be the only one who has noticed the growing numbers of such people.”
by anon, Tewkesbury
Thursday, July 02 2009, 11:28AM
“Its a good job that the councils are being pro active and closing the Sports Centres then!!”
by Alfredo, Cheltenham
Thursday, July 02 2009, 8:01AM
“If children as young as four years old are becoming obese then something needs to be done about the parents. If people don't feed their children they're charged with child abuse - why isn't the same for people who feed them too much of the wrong type of food.
Metabolism, genetic make-up and so on are all weak excuses from people who are too lazy to eat healthily. You don't get a BMI of 30 when you're eating healthily and exercising reasonably often, even if that exercise it walking to/from school/work,”