Kentish Express Ashford & District
We’re one of the county’s lowest on takeaways ‘map’
Ashford has one of the lowest number of fast food restaurants per 100,000 people in Kent, according to new figures.
A recent survey by Public Health England (PHE) shows the borough has a total of 76 outlets – which equates to 61.6 per 100,000 people.
It is ranked third only to Tonbridge and Malling, with 55.5 per 100,000 and Sevenoaks with 44.1.
While 76 may seem like a high number – this includes burger bars, kebab and chip shops – in the increasingly rising population of Ashford the numbers are comparatively small.
According to the Kent County Council (KCC) strategic business development and intelligence bulletin published in July 2016, the mid-year population estimate for the borough was 124,300.
Topping the Kent list is much smaller-populated Dover, with around 10,000 less residents and 24 more fast food outlets than Ashford – a total of 100.
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.”
PHE and local authorities have been working together to combat an “obesity epidemic”.
So are people in Ashford healthier because they have less fast food restaurants per 100,000 people? The short answer is not really. Deborah Smith, from Kent Public Health, delivered the Healthy Weight Update Report to Ashford Borough Council’s health and wellbeing board meeting last month.
She said: “Excess weight remains a concern for Ashford, with an increasing trend since 2012 and rates higher than the England average.
“Healthy weight is not just a social lifestyle issue – it is also linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis and breast, colon and endometrial cancer.”
The report showed 67.5% of adult residents in Ashford have excess weight – higher than the national average of 64.6%.
Worryingly, the averages are also high for children, with 23.6% of four to five-year-olds described as having excess weight, and 34% of 10 to 11-year-olds, both higher than the national average.
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk