Skip to content
City PM
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • DE
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • DE
Friday 16 September 2016 10:14 am

London is the healthiest region in the UK with the highest number of cyclists and the best BMIs

By: Francesca Washtell

Add as a preferred source on Google

If you're someone who's been lured into the world of London Park Runs or has become addicted to the capital's latest healthy food pop-ups – you're not alone. 

London is the healthiest region in the UK, according to data from healthcare provider Simplyhealth and YouGov. 

Nearly half of adults living in London have a "healthy" body mass index (BMI), significantly higher than anywhere else in the UK, where the average is 38 per cent. 

Read more: This investment bank has been crowned Britain's healthiest workplace

The capital's trimmer-than-average inhabitants also have the lowest percentage of people categorised as obese. 

Londoners were most likely to exercise (38 per cent) in general, kicking the sedentary lifestyle habit, and were also much more likely to cycle, eat organic food and use fitness apps than the rest of the UK. 

Maybe all those cycle superhighways are beginning to pay off after all.

In BMI terms, Wales ranked the lowest across the UK, with only 29 per cent of the adult population ranking as "healthy", over a third (38 per cent) rated as "overweight" and the second-highest proportion of people categorised as "obese".

Read more: Forget the work-life balance, we need to find the right "blend"

"It’s great to see people in London taking a level of personal responsibility and care for their own health and well-being. However, there is still a long way to go and it is a worrying sign that across the UK, so few people are meeting the NHS guidelines for exercise," Romana Abdin, chief executive of SimplyHealth said. 

"With the NHS under increasing pressure it is more important, now than ever, that people start taking personal responsibility for their own health, where they can."

However, there was one area where capital residents were less likely to be top of the health scoreboard – Londoners are apparently the most likely to smoke, at a rate of 25 per cent. 

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • News

Categories

  • Business
  • Retail

Trending Articles

  • Harry Styles at Wembley Stadium review: running through the grief

  • Nottingham Forest owner Marinakis announces £210m stadium plans

  • I’ve taken the best train trips in the world. Here are my 5 favourites

  • Natwest boss becomes latest City figure caught in AI social media scam

  • Exclusive: Top FTSE executive recruiter goes bust after AI platform launch

More from City PM

  • ‘Good growth in every postcode’? Not in Greater Manchester

    Economics
    Andy Burnham speaking in Manchester, showcasing leadership and urban development initiatives in the city.
  • Mayor Khan hails London as ‘undisputed global capital for women’s sport’ amid £50m boost

    Sport Business
    Getty Images logo on a blurred background, representing stock photo services, visual media, and professional photography.
  • TfL dispel concerns over Queen’s tennis final tube havoc

    Sport Business
    Without specific context from the article, Im unable to generate an accurate alt text. Could you provide more details from...
  • London luxury property at mercy of Labour chaos, not Iran war

    Property
    Capital gains tax is not currently charged on primary residences. (Credit Beauchamp Estates)
  • Lyft bets black cabs and robotaxis can share London’s streets

    Transport & Infrastructure
    A professional news setting with a diverse team discussing current events, laptops open, in a modern conference room.
  • Wimbledon property market drops ball ahead of Grand Slam

    Property
    Wimbledon tennis court with players in action, surrounded by a cheering crowd under clear blue skies
  • Qualco Supports London’s Air Ambulance Charity as £1.5m Raised at Black & White Gala

    Business Wire
  • House prices stay flat in June as Iran war fallout continues to weaken the market

    Property
    The price paid for first homes has surged 7.1 per cent in a year

City PM — European politics, business and analysis.

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • UK & Ireland

Topics

  • Business
  • Markets
  • AI
  • Technology
  • Opinion
  • Energy

More

  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Fintech
  • Legal
  • Sport
  • Life

Company

  • About City PM
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 City PM · Published by CityPM Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
About · Editorial Policy · Corrections · Contact · Privacy