The healthiest city in the UK is full of green spaces, healthy inhabitants and very few fast food outlets – with the lowest obesity rate in the country. University towns and southern cities dominate England’s access to healthy living with healthy living made easier by the access to full, active lifestyles.
While Northern England dominates the struggle rankings, a clear pattern emerges at the opposite end: university cities and affluent southern regions create environments where healthy living thrives. These places combine low fast food density, excellent green space access, and active populations to achieve the lowest health challenge scores in the country. At the top was Cambridge with a health deprivation score of 1.02. This figure was based on obesity rate, fast food option per 10,000, residents without green space and resident inactivity rate.
England’s health champion combines the lowest obesity rate (16.1%) with exceptional physical activity levels; only 13.7% of residents are inactive. With fewer than 10 fast food outlets per 10,000 people and 99% green space access, the university city sets the gold standard.
The historic city boasts England’s lowest fast food density at just 8.5 outlets per 10,000 residents. With 16.2% obesity and excellent green space coverage (98.8% access), Oxford demonstrates how controlled urban development can protect public health.
The Southwest’s creative capital achieves near-perfect green space coverage with less than 1% of residents lacking access. Despite slightly higher obesity (20.3%), Bristol’s active culture keeps 81% of residents physically engaged.
Crystal Wyllie, medical expert at ZAVA, comments on the findings and the predicament of geography when it comes to keeping healthy:
“As healthcare professionals, we’re seeing firsthand how environmental factors directly impact patient outcomes. Cities like Wolverhampton and Stoke-on-Trent aren’t just statistics; they represent real people struggling with obesity-related conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and mental health issues that could be prevented with better urban planning.
“Looking ahead, our forecasted data suggests the average UK adult BMI could rise to 27.8 by 2030, highlighting an upward trend. Childhood obesity rates are also rising, with early habits and socioeconomic status playing a key role.
“That’s why we recommend residents in these challenging areas focus on what they can control: choosing active transport and healthier foods where possible, seeking out those green spaces that do exist, and using online healthcare services to get early intervention for weight management and lifestyle support before conditions escalate. Small personal changes can make a real difference, even in difficult environments.”
At the bottom of the list was Wolverhampton with an adult obesity rate of 31.10 %, with Stoke on Trent coming in second to last with an obesity rate of 34.7%.