Obesity Crisis

29 April 2010, 07:46 | Updated: 29 April 2010, 09:07

More than one in four adults in Bournemouth and Poole are going to be obese by 2025, according to the NHS.

A new report says unless something is done now to get people fitter and healthier, in five years time, a third of people over 15 years old will be obese, with that figure set to rise to 41.5 per cent by 2025.

The rise in obesity is also set to have an impact on businesses. With fat people more likely to get sick, the loss of production is currently costing employers in Bournemouth and Poole up to £183 million every year, and that is set to increase.

Heath experts are meeting in Bournemouth on Thursday to look at what can be done to tackle the obesity problem.

Proposals include:

The appointment of 'healthy lifestyle champions' on Bournemouth and Poole Councils.

Improving the transport plan so more people will walk and cycle to work and to the shops.