Gloucestershire County Council has published new figures showing stark health inequalities linked to deprivation across the county.
Nearly three in 10 (28.6%) Year 6 pupils in the most deprived areas are living with obesity by the end of primary school, compared to 14.2% in the least deprived communities.
The report also found around a quarter of adults (24.9%) live with obesity, while one in five are physically inactive.
Food insecurity is a significant factor, with almost 30% of pupils in deprived areas reporting they skip meals due to a lack of food at home.
Disabled people, those with severe mental illness or long-term conditions, and some ethnic groups face heightened risk, according to the report.
Fast-food outlets are also more concentrated in Gloucestershire's urban and deprived neighbourhoods.
The council says it is developing a new strategy to tackle obesity and support healthier lifestyles countywide to make Gloucestershire ‘a place where every resident has the opportunity to maintain a healthy weight.’
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