Skip to content
Tuesday 18 August 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--
NewslettersSearchEN · DE · FR
MorningWire

European business, markets and politics

FTSE 100
10,776.13
+0.52%
DAX
26,204.73
-0.51%
CAC 40
8,539.55
-0.47%
STOXX 50
6,497.01
-0.51%
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
More
GermanyFranceEU InstitutionsCompetitionPublic AffairsBankingTechnologyEnergy
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • 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

  • As it happened: FTSE 100 drops as oil prices rise after Trump makes Hormuz threat

  • US bond market jitters spark UK economy recession warning

  • Monzo chair makes early exit after boardroom rift

  • Aldi boss wades into supermarket ‘price-gouging’ row

  • New Premier League rules could see £11bn invested into new stadiums

More from Morning Wire

  • Luxury London property developer collapses as housing market slows

    Property
    Person walks past a real estate agents window displaying properties for sale and to let.
  • Techtronic Industries Delivers Strong First Half Performance

    Business Wire
  • House prices suffer biggest August slump in eight years 

    Property
    Aerial view of colorful residential houses built on a hillside, nestled among green trees, representing housing markets
  • ‘Good growth in every postcode’? Not in Greater Manchester

    Economics
    Andy Burnham speaking in Manchester, showcasing leadership and urban development initiatives in the city.
  • London house prices fall again as property slowdown drags on

    Property
    Two people looking at real estate listings in an estate agents window, showcasing properties for sale.
  • Formula 1’s governing body wants more races in China and Asia

    Sport Business
    GettyImages 2284466488 shows a significant business event with professionals networking in a modern conference setting.
  • Andy Burnham should show London he cares by funding this one transport project

    Opinion
    Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, standing outside 10 Downing Street in a suit and tie.
  • Atlanta set for major economic boost as England World Cup fans spend

    Sport Business
    Breaking news illustration with digital world map and stock market graphs, highlighting global economic trends.
MorningWire

Independent European business, markets and political news for decision-makers.

Morning Briefing

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe

Business

  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Competition
  • Public Affairs

Editorial

  • Opinion
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Company

  • About Morning Wire
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 Morning Wire Ltd · Published by Morning Wire Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Privacy · Terms · Cookies · Facebook