According to national statistics, the NHS is now spending a record amount on treating obesity. Thetford in Norfolk is the town that has the majority of cases, and the situation there is worrying enough that the government has pledged £1m to help encourage a healthier lifestyle.

Fearing an Americanized culture of overweight people, steps are being taken to ensure we all eat healthier diets and exercise more. Thetford, being the worst culprit of the fat fry diet, has a life expectancy that is amongst the lowest in the country.

Part of the government’s healthy initiative is to encourage not only the right diet, but also an active lifestyle that will improve individual wellbeing, whether that’s through “gym equipment” such as a pedal exerciser or simply by incorporating more walking into the daily routine. To this aim, there are a number of schemes that will be implemented within the next three years over nine different towns – as you can see, there’s a lot more to it than just purchasing “gym equipment”!

Dudley – Creating family friendly parks
Halifax – Fruit and Vegetable scheme
Middlesborough – Farm expansion
Sheffield – Breastfeeding initiatives
Portsmouth – Walking and cycling initiatives
Thetford – Encouragement to exercise more
Manchester – Exercising schemes
Tower Hamlets – Healthy food initiative