Levels of obesity in the borough are “worryingly high” despite being among the best in London, according to health officials.

This week Public Health England published excess weight figures that showed the percentage of adults in London who were overweight or obese by local authority.

The data showed 47.6 per cent of adults in Richmond were overweight or obese, putting the borough third best in the capital only to Kensington and Chelsea with 45.9 per cent and Tower Hamlets with 47.2 per cent.

The worst rated London borough was Hillingdon, with 67.2 per cent of adults classed as overweight or obese.

Public Health England said levels were still worryingly high in areas with the lowest prevalence of people who were overweight and obese.

London regional director at Public Health England Dr Yvonne Doyle said it was working with councils to tackle obesity but urged individuals to take action themselves.

She said: “There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity. It is an issue that requires action at national, local, family and individual level.

“This new data will enable local authorities to monitor progress towards our shared ambition of achieving a downward trend in excess weight by 2020.”

The health authority said problems associated with being overweight or obese cost the NHS more than £5bn each year.