Thousands across town are treated for obesity

A total of 2,640,000 adults in the North West were found to be inactive according to the British Heart Foundation report.

THE number of overweight Oldham patients admitted to hospitals has increased year on year, new figures show.

A total of 1,845 residents were admitted to NHS Oldham with a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity in 2015/16.

This figure has risen from 1,602 admissions for the year 2014/15, according to NHS Digital.

The figures were sourced from Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group and found more than 3,000 prescription items were issued for the treatment of obesity in Oldham in 2015 and in 2016.

NHS Digital found obesity varied by region, but was generally more prevalent in North England and the Midlands than in the South.

A total of 78,248 residents were admitted to hospitals in the North West due to obesity in 2015/16.

And more than 2.6million people in the North West are classified as physically inactive, according to a second report from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The absence of activity significantly increases the risk of heart disease and premature death.

The BHF report also found on average 80 per cent of people in the North West who are referred for a cardiac rehabilitation after suffering a heart attack or undergoing surgery are failing to meeting the government's physical activity recommendations.

The BHF has launched the MyMarathon challenge, urging people of all fitness levels to increase their physical activity and improve their heart health.

Associate medical director Dr Mike Knapton said: "Physical inactivity is one of the most significant global health crises of the moment.

"Levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour in the UK remain stubbornly high, and combined, these two risk factors present a substantial threat to our cardiovascular health and risk of early death.

"Making physical activity easier and more accessible for all is of paramount importance if we are to reduce the burden of inactivity-related ill health.

"Our MyMarathon challenge is an ideal way for people of all fitness levels to increase their physical activity and improve their heart health. Every pound raised will help fund vital research in the fight against heart disease."

Last year, more than 30,000 people took part in MyMarathon, which is held in May, raising more than £1million for the BHF.

The challenge encourages people to run 26.2miles in their own time over a one-month period.

To sign up to MyMarathon visit www.bhf.org.uk/mymarathon.