The “huge issue” of obesity in Greenwich has been listed as a priority for the new councillor in charge of health.

Cllr Averil Lekau made the claim as she set out her agenda to a health scrutiny committee on Thursday (July 12).

The member for health and poverty said obesity was a big challenge that the council needs to tackle.

According to council documents, only five other London boroughs are worse for obesity and overweight rates in adults.

The latest data shows that 58.9 per cent of adults in Greenwich are classified as obese or overweight.

The new cabinet member said obesity was a priority issue as she set out her agenda for the next four years.

Cllr Lekau said: “My predecessor Cllr David Gardner had priority at the time of focusing on good mental health with a particular focus on tackling obesity. That’s a huge issue for us and still remains one.

“We know a large percentage of kids are overweight or obese, and you then have knock on effects afterwards.

“Good mental health is another area that concerns me.”

Statistics from Public Health England show that 28 per cent of Year 6 pupils were declared obese, between April 2016 and March 2017, and 6.7 per cent severely obese. On top of that 15 per cent of Year 6 children were declared overweight.

That means on average 50 per cent of Greenwich’s youngsters are unhealthily overweight when they start secondary school.

Cllr Lekau said her priorities will change as the term continues, adding that she wanted members to help shape her agenda.

This comes as a report to councillors shows Greenwich ranks poorly for life expectancy compared to the rest of London.

Male healthy life expectancy at birth ranked 29 out of 33, whilst female ranked 31, according to the report.