Manchester is the second unhealthiest area in England, according to a new study

Manchester has been named the second 'unhealthiest' area in England according to new research.

Fitness experts BarBend analysed a recent release from the Office for National Statistics, which scored every local authority in England on a number of factors for physical health, mental health, fitness, and more compared to the national average (100) to see which areas were the ‘most unhealthy’. The study found that Manchester is England’s second unhealthiest area.

It scored an overall score of 92.53. This is due to a healthy people score of 90.38, a healthy lives score of 91.24, and a healthy places score of 95.96.

READ MORE: Biggest spike in coronavirus infections since June as Greater Manchester sees hundreds of new cases

The healthy people score is low due to things like a low life expectancy score of 79.86 and low avoidable mortality with 74.54. A score of 91.24 for healthy lives is due to things like a poor child obesity score of 84.64 when compared to other areas.

Each area’s health score is measured out of 100, with 100 being the level of the national average. For example, Manchester scored 92.53 on its health score, meaning it scores around 92% of the national average, or roughly eight percentage points lower.

Fellow North West area, Blackpool, was ranked first, with an overall score of 91.43. Hull was ranked third unhealthiest, Birmingham fourth and Liverpool rounds out the top five.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Barbend said: “It’s interesting to see just how many factors go into the health index, and how poorly some areas score in them. When data for after the Covid-19 pandemic is prepared, it’s expected that many of these factors, particularly physical and mental health, will fluctuate due to the true unexpectedness of it.”

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