By Jim Hislop

PEOPLE IN the Bowbridge ward of Dundee are fatter, more likely to suffer long-term illness, play less sport and spend more on smoking and drinking than in any other area of Britain, according to new research.

But the local councillor thinks the researchers have visited an adjoining ward that they’ve mistaken for his.

The study by information services company CACI found that Scotland has 22 out of the top 25 unhealthiest areas in the UK.

In Dundee, Fairmuir Ward comes in at five, and Stobswell at 18. Perth’s North Muirton is at 10 while South Inch is 21.

The research was designed to produce a database of statistics for use by local authorities and other government agencies to assess the need for public spending across different council wards nationwide.

Bowbridge councillor Chris Hind was puzzled by the study’s findings.

“I have to question this survey, certainly until I’ve seen the findings and how the information was obtained, but I think they’ve got Bowbridge mixed up with another ward.

“I see a Sunday national paper carries a piece on the same report, and as an example of unhealthy living in Bowbridge they report on a visit to the Hawthorn Bar—that’s in Hilltown ward, not Bowbridge, which reinforces my belief that the researchers have also gone to the wrong place originally.

“There is a high rate of ischemic heart disease (narrowing of the heart arteries) in the Bowbridge ward, but then we do have a high population of elderly people.”

Dundee City Council’s administration leader Jill Shimi, while also surprised at Bowbridge heading the list, said she thought that her own ward Lochee West, or neighbouring Lochee East, would have been prime candidate instead.

“However, we have long recognised that there is a problem, particularly in the more deprived areas of the city,” she said.

She added, “The council have several initiatives on the go, such as providing fresh fruit for schools, but I’m sure this latest study will prove invaluable in helping us make the best possible use of our services to tackle the problems more effectively.”

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said the study’s findings were further evidence that there was not only a life expectancy gap in Dundee but also a health expectancy gap.

“I will be taking this report up with the health board and the local authority to seek their responses to it.”

A recent Office of National Statistics report revealed that Dundee has one of the lowest life expectancy rates for men, while figures released by the Executive last month show that 28% of women and 16% of men in Tayside are classified as clinically obese.

All of the 25 healthiest areas in the study were found to be in the English Home Counties, most of them in the London commuter belt.