HEALTH experts are coming up with a plan to tackle the huge amount of obese adults in Thurrock. 

Community intervention services could be introduced into the community, which people could be referred to or they could refer themselves.

60 experts have met to discuss the options facing the 28 per cent of adults classed as obese, which is significantly above the national and regional average.

The event, held at the Beehive, in Grays, was launched by Thurrock Council’s health portfolio holder, councillor Barbara Rice who said she had a personal interest in Healthy Weight Management.

Mrs Rice said the council’s public health team wants to commission a service for obese adults.

She said: “The Healthy Weight Management Workshop brought together people from a wide variety of agencies to talk through ways to tackle the rising figures of overweight and obese children and adults in our borough.”

“This is worrying as we know even moderate obesity reduces life expectancy by an average of three years while morbid obesity can cut life expectancy by an average of 10 years.”