Two-thirds of Hampshire adults are overweight or obese, says new report
Childhood obesity and food insecurity also highlighted as concerns
A new public health report has revealed that 66 per cent of adults in Hampshire are overweight or obese, exceeding the national average of 64 per cent.
The report was presented to Hampshire County Council’s health and wellbeing board on 11th June.
It showed varying obesity rates across the county, with New Forest recording the highest at 77 per cent, followed by Havant at 72 per cent, and Gosport at 68 per cent.
The report also raised concerns about childhood obesity, noting that 32 per cent of Year 6 children and 23 per cent of Reception-age children in Hampshire are overweight or obese.
Health officials warned that obesity increases the risk of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Existing mental health conditions can also be worsened.
Food insecurity in Hampshire
The report highlighted concerns about food insecurity, indicating that access to healthy and nutritious food is not consistent across Hampshire.
Areas identified as being at higher risk include Basingstoke, Havant, Waterlooville, Andover, Aldershot, Gosport, and Totton.
Gosport councillor Lesley Meenaghan expressed concerns about the availability of healthy food options in parts of the borough.
She said, “One of the wards, particularly Forton (in Gosport), is what I would describe as a food desert. There are plenty of fast-food outlets and takeaways, but very few healthy options. Are we looking at planning policies to help change that landscape?”
Responses and future actions
Darren Carmichael, public health principal, responded by saying council officers provide evidence-based responses whenever planning applications are consulted on.
He noted that councils are in a stronger position to challenge new takeaway developments when local planning policies promote healthier food environments.
Officers stressed the importance of district and borough councils setting clear priorities in their planning policies to limit the spread of takeaways.
Cllr Meenaghan later remarked, “If we are serious about tackling obesity, we need to be honest about the reality many communities face.
In some of our most deprived areas, people are effectively living in food deserts, where access to fresh, healthy, nutritious food is limited, and where the most visible and readily available options are often high in fat, sugar, and salt.
If healthy food is more expensive, harder to reach, or less visible than unhealthy alternatives, then the system is working against people from the outset.
We must shape places where healthy food is accessible, affordable, and the default option—through thoughtful planning, stronger local provision, and designing communities that actively support healthy living.”