A NORTH East town has been named as one of the obesity capitals of England, with more than 30% of adults clinically overweight.

Gateshead is one of only four areas in the country where more than three in 10 of the adult population is classed as obese, a measure the Government estimates will not be the national average until around 2025.

Of the seven North East local authority areas only one – Newcastle – is not classed as having a “significantly worse” proportion of obese adults than the national average of 24.2%. And all seven council areas score “significantly worse” than the national average for levels of healthy eating among adults.

The figures have highlighted the reasons why The Journal has started its Great North Fitness Revolution campaign, which aims to get people in the region more active and healthy.

Last night Mary Foy, Gateshead Council’s cabinet member for healthier communities, said: “Gateshead Council recognises that obesity is a major problem and there are a number of influences including food supply, activity levels to societal influences, and that it will take a multi-faceted approach to tackle the issue.