More than half of people in Newham are overweight or obese, according to new figures released today.

Data collected by Public Health England (PHE) found that 56.8 per cent of residents were over a healthy weight as gauged by the body mass index.

The figure is slightly below the average for London, which is 57.3 per cent.

People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing type two diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

PHE said health problems associated with being overweight or obese cost the NHS more than £5 billion each year.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, London director at PHE, said: “There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity. It is an issue that requires action at national, local, family and individual level.”

She said the new data would enable local authorities to monitor progress towards achieving a downward trend in excess weight by 2020.

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