Nearly two in every three people living in Kent are either overweight or obese, new figures have revealed.

Data published by Public Health England shows the percentage of adults in the county who are carrying excess weight is worryingly high.

Figures across the county vary hugely - with just over half of the adults in Canterbury classed as overweight or obese.

Meanwhile, in the Swale borough, nearly 69% of all adults weighs more than the government says they should.

Nationally, the rate of increase in weight is slowing down, and figures for children weighing too much have also stabilised.

Problems associated with being overweight include the risk of developing type 2 diabetes,heart disease and certain cancers.

Dr Graham Bickler, Kent, Surrey and Sussex Public Health England centre director

said:"Public Health England is committed to helping tackle the levels of people who are overweight and obese in Kent, Surrey and Sussex by supporting our local authorities to

develop a broad programme of action to reduce levels of excess weight.

“There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity. It is an issue that requires action at national,local, family and individual level" - Graham Bickler

“There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity. It is an issue that requires action at national,local, family and individual level.

"Local authorities are ideally placed to develop co-ordinated action across their departments, services and partner organisations to tackle overweight and obesity in the local population."

He said the new data should help local councils move towards the national ambition of bringing excess weight down by 2020.