There are more fast food restaurants per 100,000 people in Dartford than almost anywhere else in Kent.

Figures released by Public Health England (PHE) show that the borough has 94 of them, which is second only to Thanet across the rest of the county and above the national average of 88.

Dartford houses 96 fast food restaurants but it is thought to be the smallest district in Kent in terms of population, with an estimate taken by Kent County Council last year placing it at 103,900 people.

The town centre alone has a McDonald’s, KFC, Subway and Wimpy’s, in addition to multiple kebab shops and takeaways. Gravesham is sixth for its density of fast food outlets, above the likes of Maidstone, Swale and Ashford.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said: “More than a fifth of adults and children eat takeaway meals at home more than once a week which is contributing to the nation’s obesity epidemic.

“It can be difficult for families to make healthy choices which is why we are working to support families to eat more healthily and be more physically active through campaigns such as Change4Life.”

The figures come after the Health & Social Care Information Centre revealed that more obese primary school children live in Dartford and Gravesham than any other districts in Kent.

Both districts are also above the national average for obese children, with more than one in five Year 6 children, and one in 10 of reception age.

Cllr Marilyn Peters (Con), Dartford council’s lead member for Health and Wellbeing, acknowledged the potential risks of fast food but said the figures in Dartford were skewed.

“Having looked at the figures, I think it’s important to recognise that Dartford’s figures are distorted by the large number of fast-food outlets at Bluewater, which accounts for almost as many outlets as in the town centre,” she said.

“There is no doubt that fast food is popular with huge numbers of people. Although it is not the job of the council to make anyone’s meal decisions for them, we do have a role to play in helping educate people that fast food is less healthy and offers less variety and taste than a proper balanced diet.

“The council makes sure it is providing a huge range of sports and leisure facilities to help families stay healthy and keep fit.

"All the parks, sports clubs and leisure centres we support or run have programmes specially designed for families to enjoy together. While fast food can play an occasional part in a healthy diet, common sense and balance are important.

“Many fast-food promotions are aimed at children, so they need to know from an early age that taking care of their bodies means regulating the fats and sugars they consume.

Of course, many parents are aware of this, but we have to get the message across that families who eat well and enjoy activities together are likely to be much healthier and fitter than those who don’t.”