A COUNCIL has said it is working to improve health in the area after almost 70 per cent of people were categorised as overweight or obese.

After the Public Health England profile in 2015 revealed that 68 per cent of adults in the Braintree district, including Witham and Halstead, were overweight, the council has said it is working on a project to help children become more active.

Figures also revealed that obesity levels in Braintree are four per cent higher than the national average and the town has the lowest number of adults doing enough physical activity.

Councillor Jo Beavis, cabinet member for health and communities, is aiming to tackle these issues.

She said: "It’s disappointing that so many adults in our district are classified as overweight or obese, which impacts on children’s behaviour too.

"We’ve seen a rapid rise in childhood obesity in the district, more so than most other districts in Essex, so we’re also working on a project to help children become more active and eat more healthily.”

This comes despite a rise in leisure centre participation of 10 per cent, 9,000 runners taking part in park runs and 3,500 children attending swimming lessons each week.

There are already groups like Braintree Easy Riders, Walking Football, the Great Notley Parkrun and Braintree District Walkabout Group, which are aimed at helping people stay active.

Councillor Beavis said: "We’ve also been celebrating the achievements of local people through Active Braintree District Awards, people like BMXer Oli Cutmore and Paul Eldridge from Valley Green Football Club in Witham.

"We need to do something collectively to halt this trend and I’m pleased to say that along with ECC Public Health, Mid Essex CCG and the NHS we’re committed to doing so.

"It’s so important to us because being obese or overweight can increase the risk of developing a range of serious diseases and there is no excuse especially when we have lots of great nature reserves and green open spaces.

"We’re making good progress but we know we still have a long way to go."

For more information visit Active Braintree District Network at activeessex.org and the Livewell campaign at livewellcampaign.co.uk