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Smoking and obesity are Island's biggest health problems

Wed, 25 Oct 2017

Smoking and obesity are the main problems for the Island's health, according to a report from the Director of Public Health.

Dr Henrietta Ewart's report is the first of its kind since 2004, and found over 40% of Manx residents to be overweight or obese.

It also claims around two-thirds of the 10,000 smokers on the Island want to quit the habit, while one in 10 pregnant women smoke during their pregnancy.

Dr Ewart says the Department of Health and Social Care needs to provide more targeted support for those wanting to stop smoking.

She also wants to see more done to reduce the amount of sugar consumed to cut obesity, with a particularly focus on prevention in children.

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