New research reveals that NHS trusts in the North of England are dealing with significantly more obesity-related hospital admissions than those in the South. The study, conducted by The Independent Pharmacy, analysed Freedom of Information data from 163 NHS trusts, focusing on admissions linked to obesity diagnoses, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke.
Manchester recorded the highest overall burden index score of 94.5, considerably ahead of second-placed Stoke-on-Trent with 78.9. Other northern areas among the top ten worst-hit include Leeds, Northumberland, Lancaster, and Middlesbrough. The findings indicate that obesity-related health pressures are concentrated in urban and post-industrial parts of the North.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, stressed that earlier intervention to tackle obesity 'remains critical'. The research suggests that long-term health inequalities, deprivation, and limited access to preventative support have allowed obesity-linked conditions to accumulate over time. Type 2 diabetes emerged as one of the biggest drivers of admissions, with Manchester and Leeds each recording six-figure diabetes admissions.
The data also shows that obesity's impact is not always visible through recorded obesity diagnoses alone; some trusts ranked highly due to elevated admissions for coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke, conditions closely associated with excess weight.
