The areas of Scotland with the highest rates of obesity have been revealed in new data, with more than a third of the population obese.
Obesity levels are continuing to rise across the country with data suggesting the two-thirds of all adults are considered overweight in 2021, according to a Scottish Government study. According the Scottish Health Study figures, 67 per cent of Scots are considered overweight with 30 per cent deemed obese and four per cent classed as morbidly obese. To be classed as obese, a person's BMI must be over 30, compared to the healthy BMI range from 18.5 to 24.9.
Following the government figures, Now Patient have identified where the 'obesity capitals' of Scotland are, listing the top 10 areas.
The research showed that the top spot is shared by two areas - East Ayrshire and the Orkney Islands - with 75 per cent of adults classed as either overweight or obese.
Closely following the top two areas is Dumfries and Galloway - with around 72 per cent of adults overweight or obese.
The Highlands, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar and West Dunbartonshire were up next, all tying in fourth place with 71 per cent of adults falling in the overweight or obese categories.
Just one per cent behind with 70 per cent come Aberdeenshire, North Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire,
Edinburgh was found to be at the other end of the scale with 53 per cent of the capital's residents classed as overweight.
Fifty nine per cent of people living in Aberdeen City, 60 per cent in East Dunbartonshire and 61 per cent of those in Glasgow City were classed as overweight, the research found.
Dundee was found to be the fifth slimmest city in Scotland with the study stating 63 per cent of residents are overweight.
East Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Inverclyde and South Ayrshire all come in sixth with 64 per cent, while 65 per cent of adults in the Scottish Borders overweight.
Following the finds, the experts at Now Patient shared their top five tips to help people lose weight, improving both their physical and mental health.
Taking daily walks, running or cycling can help burn calories, increasing activity levels without the need to visit the gym.
The expert explain that the only way to lose weight is for calories burned to be greater than calories consumed, adding that upping protein intake can help reduce appetite by keeping people fuller longer.
Upping vegetable intake can also help as veg it low in calories meaning it can be eaten in bulk to help maintain fullness as well as improving overall health.
However, the experts warn that is a slow and steady process.
"Losing weight takes time, it’s not something that can happen overnight.
"While severely reducing your calories at the beginning makes the scales look better, it will be harder to keep up in the long run.
"Minimally reducing your calories at the beginning, and gradually increasing the deficit each week will be much easier to keep up in the long run."
Areas with the highest obesity rate in Scotland - full list
- East Ayrshire - 75 per cent
- Orkney Islands - 75 per cent
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Highlands - 72 per cent
- Moray - 71 per cent
- Na h-Eileanan Siar - 71 per cent
- West Dunbartonshire - 71 per cent
- Aberdeenshire - 70 per cent
- North Ayrshire - 70 per cent
- North Lanarkshire - 70 per cent
- Scottish Borders - 65 per cent
- East Renfrewshire - 64 per cent
- Falkirk - 64 per cent
- Inverclyde - 64 per cent
- South Ayrshire - 64 per cent
- Dundee - 63 per cent
- Glasgow City - 61 per cent
- East Dunbartonshire - 60 per cent
- Aberdeen City - 59 per cent
- Edinburgh - 53 per cent
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