West Yorkshire report highlights obesity and mental health link

Local TV

A new report titled 'More Than Weight: Exploring the Human, Social and Economic Cost of Obesity' reveals a link between obesity and mental health conditions in West and North Yorkshire.

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00:00A new report from the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership has uncovered a concerning link

00:05between obesity and mental health conditions across the region.

00:09Supporting over 2.4 million people, the partnership includes the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board

00:15and the Partnership Board, who co-created the report based on insights from local communities.

00:22The findings reveal that 78% of people living with obesity in the region

00:26also reported struggling with at least one mental health condition.

00:30Furthermore, 66% of respondents admitted to frequent emotional eating,

00:34while more than 70% noted experiences of social isolation.

00:39In some focus groups, participants described how these sessions became therapeutic spaces

00:44where they felt truly listened to and validated, often for the first time.

00:49The report also highlights the obesity rates in West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and the Humber

00:53exceed the national average.

00:55This is part of a broader trend, as over the past decade, obesity rates in the UK have risen dramatically.

01:01According to recent data, around one in four adults in the UK are now classified as obese,

01:07marking a significant increase from previous years.

01:10Despite rising rates, the social and economic impacts of obesity remain insufficiently understood,

01:15and current weight management services are not meeting the needs of the population.

01:20To address the issues, the report calls for more compassionate, trauma-informed and stigma-free

01:24approaches to health and weight management.

01:27A new resource, the West Yorkshire Weight Stigma Insight Library,

01:30has also been launched online to help healthcare professionals, educators and community organisations

01:35better understand and combat weight stigma.

01:39The report emphasises the importance of integrating physical and mental health support for obesity management.

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