THE number of obese people in Warrington has decreased by 379 in the past year, according to new figures.

The information, collected by GP practices and released by charity Diabetes UK, showed that from 2008/09 to 2009/10 the amount of people classed as obese dropped from 15,601 to 15,222.

Of the region’s 24 PCTs only Wirral rated better with a drop from 34,897 to 34,045, making a reduction of 852.

Western Cheshire, with whom NHS Warrington shares chief executive Helen Bellairs, saw a rise from 19,287 to 20,958, an increase of 1,671.

Liverpool fared worst across the north west with a staggering rise of 4,446, which meant it had the fifth highest obesity figures in England.

Manchester saw an increase of 1,695 and in Halton and St Helens the figure went up from 32,322 to 33,905, a difference of 1,583.

Knowsley saw a rise of 738, Sefton 1,813 and Trafford 1,411. The only other decreases were in Bolton, which had a drop of 148, and Tameside and Glossop with a fall of 215.

The north west as a whole saw an increase from 641,315 to 676,419, a difference of 35,104, with only London having a higher obsity rate with a 43,240 rise.

Julia Carter, who leads Warrington’s obesity programmes, said: “It’s pleasing to see that we are making real progress in our battle with obesity. Warrington’s healthy weight strategy sets out clearly how we will tackle the issue of overweight and obesity through targeted work for both adults and children.”

Diabetes UK warned that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the north west had increased by nearly 16,000 to 329,904 in the past year and that this was strongly linked to being overweight or obese.

The charity advised that the condition can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables but low in fat, sugar and salt.

To help with this Warrington Hospital offers a free weight management service with a drop in clinic to suit individual needs and an eight-week healthy lifestyle programme that teaches people how to eat right.

In addition CHEW is a four-week course that helps people to cook healthily by teaching basic, tasty recipes.

Open clinics are held at the Wolves stadium on Monday nights from 5pm to 6.45pm and on Tuesday mornings from 10am to noon that provide information and support to dieters.

For children aged seven to 13 who are obese, there is an exercise initiative that also offers education around nutrition.

A hospital spokesman said: “These figures are encouraging that people are taking steps towards a more active and healthier lifestyle.”

For further information call 662255.