Welwyn Hatfield folk are no fatties!

THERE'S good news if you live in Times Territory – you're a few pies short of being as fat as the national average. According to a new report, obesity levels in England stand at 23.6 per cent, while Hertfordshire as a whole clocks up a level

THERE'S good news if you live in Times Territory - you're a few pies short of being as fat as the national average.

According to a new report, obesity levels in England stand at 23.6 per cent, while Hertfordshire as a whole clocks up a level of 24.6 per cent.

But weighing in at less than that are Welwyn Hatfield (23%), North Herts (22.1%), East Herts (21.5%) and Hertsmere (21%).

The report was presented at a meeting of the county council's public health (obesity) topic group, where it was also revealed the cost of tackling the issue across Hertfordshire tops �265m a year.

Members decided to take action by backing campaigns.

Councillor Michael Downing, chairman of the topic group, said: "Much could be achieved at a local level through more partnership working between councils, the PCTs, families and the children's centres - combined with pressure for change at a national level, which sees obesity as part of the wider public health and anti-poverty agenda."

A number of innovative public health programmes are already in place to help address obesity, including MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it) and Henry (Healthy Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young), and the committee recognised the important role these groups have to play.

Watton-at-Stone GP David Haslam, who is also chairman of the National Obesity Forum, told the WHT: "The Government has a major role to play, but of course it's a matter of personal choice.