OBESITY is a major problem in Ryedale, it has been revealed in a major new report on the health of North Yorkshire residents.

The area has higher than national average levels of obesity along with high levels of smoking and binge drinking.

The shock news comes in the annual report of the county's Health ad Wellbeing Board which says adds: "Rural deptivation is the key issue for Ryedale."

"The indicator for excess weight in adults for Ryedale was the highest in the county," says the report. The estimate was based on a survey of self-reported weight measures.

However adds the report: "It is worth noting that this indicator was not significantly worse compared to the North Yorkshire average and that the percentage of people reported to be physically active in the district at 60.9 per cent is higher than the England average of 56 per cent.

"The risk of adult obesity is greater for those who are obese as children."

The report points out that the population density of Ryedale at 36 people per square kilometre is below the North Yorkshire average of 75 and well below the national average of 401.

Now, a lifestyle service is being planned for Ryedale to "deliver structured weight management interventions"

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Director of Public Health for the county, and one of the key authors of the report says: "As part of the plan to reduce obesity in children, our children's centres have built a health eating approach into all their activities." Snacks of fruit and vegetables are being provided for children and their parents at the centre. Health visitors also attend "play, stay and weigh" sessions where children's weight and height can be minotored., and Active Kids sessions are promoted in outdoor areas such as parks.

"This has meant that in Ryedale there has been a drop in obesity in children from 10.8 per cent to 8.8 per cent in the past two years."

Dr Sargeant said: "AS the opublic sector faces shrinking budgets, it looks more and more to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors as partners in delivering services to residents."

Priorities in the future for health care in North Yorkshire include developing a mental health strategy, working with Ryedale District Council and other local authortiies and NHS partners to take advantage of the government's Better Care Fund.