MORE than one in five adults are classed as officially obese in parts of East Lancashire, double the national average, new figures revealed today.

In total 53,600 adults in the area, around 12 per cent, are on the Obesity Register, which records GP patients with a BMI greater than or equal to 30 in the previous 15 months.

But in some towns the number soars to over 21 per cent, twice the national average of 10.5 per cent.

And experts fear the true problem may be even worse, as some obese people do not regularly visit their GP.

The news comes as major initiatives to get people involved in sport are launched on the back Team GB’s Olympic success.

County Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, who sits on the health scrutiny committee for Lancashire, and represents Nelson, where the Reedyford Health Care Group topped the obesity chart, said the problem was down to deprivation.

He said: “The current recession is biting East Lancashire very hard, and there is a clear link between health and poverty. At the moment, people can’t afford to eat healthily.”

Russ McLean, chair of the Patient Voices Group, said: “I am shocked by these figures. It is a rapidly growing problem.

“We are all guilty of not watching what we eat and not exercising as much as we should. It’s time patients started taking care of themselves.

“Not only does obesity have a number of associated long-term health problems for the patient, it has a staggering cost on the NHS. There are an increasing number of patients who cannot exercise because of the obesity issue. It is a chicken and egg scenario.

“It is an epidemic for the future.”

Abdul Mulla, chief executive of the Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living Team, said the level of obesity was “very worrying”.

He said: “The Obesity Register only records people who go to their GP, so the figure is definitely going to be even more in East Lancashire.

“If you are obese, you’re more than likely going to get Type 2 diabetes, especially if you’re South Asian, as that population is more disposed to the condition.

“It can also lead to cardio vascular disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnia, breathing difficulties, and digestive diseases such as bowel cancer.

“Often people who are obese also have mental health problems, as they have low confidence and self esteem.

“The problem is that once you get a condition like Type 2 diabetes, it’s irreversible.”

Mr Mulla said all sections of society were affected by the issue.

He said: “In my experience, obesity stretches class boundaries and locations. The middle classes are more likely to have office jobs, lead a sedentary lifestyle, have highly-stressed jobs, and are therefore more at risk of heart disease.

“It comes down to a poor awareness of what’s healthy and what’s a healthy-sized portion of food, as well as doing exercise.”

A number of services are available in East Lancashire, to tackle the area’s weight problems.

Natalie Cross, of NHS East Lancashire, said: “This is due to deprivation levels and also the average age of the population in that area.

“Every GP practice has access to a Community Weight Management Programme that patients can be referred to, or people can refer themselves.

“These are run by the various leisure trusts and the local councils. One to One appointments with dieticians are also available.

“We also commission various lifestyle programmes such as cycling and walking to encourage people to be more active.

“In addition, we fund a Health Improvement Service which helps patients to access the services and raises awareness of how small lifestyle changes can make a big difference.”

Burnley came top of the average figures for GP patients aged over 16 to be on the Obesity Register, with 13.4 per cent.

That was followed by Rossendale on 12.9 per cent, Pendle on 12.7 per cent, Darwen on 12.3 per cent, Hyndburn on 12.2 per cent, Blackburn on 11.7 per cent, and Ribble Valley on 10.4 per cent.