UK's 'fattest town' invaded by fried chicken shops as 2/3 of locals overweight

03 February 2024 , 17:52

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Luton residents have complained of too many fried chicken shops in the town (Image: Getty Images)

Locals in one of Britain's fattest towns say their streets are being invaded by fried chicken shops.

Frightening statistics show that a whopping two-thirds of all adults in Luton are classed as overweight or obese.

The Bedfordshire town also tops the table nationwide in hospital admissions for obesity, which reached a staggering 4,880 people per 100,000 in 2022/23.

An abundance of takeaways in the area has been singled out as a big contributor to the problem, with low-cost, unhealthy, high-calorie meals seemingly far too easy for people of all ages to get hold of.

An especially strong symbol comes in the now-ubiquitous sight of fried chicken shops along Luton's streets. There was found to be 36 of them on last count, and many residents of the town have blamed the local council for allowing too many of them to open.

Hundreds of obese children under 5 needed hospital treatment last year

One unimpressed local recently told the MailOnline: "The town is full of obese people. It's the council's fault. They have let it get out of control. No others should be opening anytime soon." An owner of a chicken shop in the town centre meanwhile said his takeaway is "always packed to the rafters", and described Luton's fondness for the fast food treat as "great for business".

The Mirror have contacted Luton Council for comment. Last year, the council banned junk food advertising from all council buildings in the town, including billboards, lampposts, screens and roundabouts - though bus stops are not covered by the restrictions. Labour councillor Khtija Malik, the portfolio holder for public health, said the move was a "start" their efforts to combat "high rates of obesity among young children".

It comes as a new study showed one in four Year 6 age children in England are now obese, with a recent rise attributed to the lasting effect of Covid lockdowns. The highest rates of obesity are seen in poorer, deprived neighbourhoods. The National Institute for Health and Care Research said 85% of obese kids remained the same way into adulthood, and that this could lead to type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Boston in Lincolnshire is home to the most overweight children, with 29.9% of kids living there considered obese. This was was followed by Newham (29.7%), Newcastle upon Tyne (29.2%), Manchester (29.1%) and Nottingham (29.1%). Meanwhile Halton, Cheshire, recorded 28.7% of its Year 6s who were considered obese.

Middlesbrough came next with (28.5%), Tower Hamlets (28.4%), Southwark (28.3%), Westminster (28.3%) and Luton (28.2%). Walsall recorded (28.1%), Lincoln (28%), Liverpool (28%) and Rotherham (28%).

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas