A new ‘obesity map’ highlights the areas in England that have the highest levels of overweight and obese adults.

Figures show almost a quarter of adults living in Blackburn with Darwen are obese, with almost seven in 10 overweight.

The figures, from the Office for Health and Improvement Disparities, show that in the year 2021 to 2022, 23 per cent of adults living in Blackburn with Darwen were obese.

Data also reveals that 68.4 per cent, almost two thirds, of adults in the borough are classed as overweight or obese.

Being overweight puts added strain on the body's internal organs and also has a hefty cost for the NHS, and is one of the most easily preventable health problems.

The same study has revealed that across Lancashire, which includes Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley, 26.7 per cent of adults were classed as obese, while 65.7 per cent were classed as overweight or obese.

The national average for obesity in adults in 2021/22 was 25.9 per cent, meaning Blackburn with Darwen was slightly below average.

Lancashire as a whole had obesity levels above the national average.

The national average for overweight or obese adults was 63.8 per cent, which means Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire and Blackpool had overweight levels in adults above the national average.

The figures are calculated using body mass index measurements to determine obesity levels, using height and weight to work out a person's BMI.

A healthy BMI is anything between 18 and 25. Between 25 and 30 is classed as overweight, with 30 and above obese.

For an average male (5ft9ins tall), this means a healthy weight is between 9st and 12st 2lbs. For an average female (5ft3ins tall), a healthy weight is 7st5lbs to 10st1lb.

Ethnicity also can impact on what a healthy BMI is for a person, and the NHS website has a tool to give people an idea of what a healthy weight is for them

While a helpful rough guide, BMI is not always an accurate measure of obesity as it goes not factor in muscle mass to fat ratios, meaning some people can be deemed overweight when they are in fact healthy.

Councillor Damian Talbot, executive member for health and wellbeing at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Obesity is a major driver for poor health and serious medical conditions, so it is clearly a concern that the figures remain high. 

“In Blackburn with Darwen the health and wellbeing and leisure teams work hard to support members of the public in becoming more active and reducing weight and it is reassuring to note that the obesity figures for Blackburn with Darwen are the lowest in Lancashire and below the national average. 

“Nevertheless, there is much to do and helping our citizens to become more healthy will remain a priority for the council.”

The easiest way to combat your own personal obesity or overweightness is to eat a healthier diet and do more exercise. If you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight.

For women, 2,000 calories a day, and 2,500 for men, is plenty, and even 30 minutes of brisk walking a day can be enough to help shift unwanted body fat.