"Ditch the junk food" call as Rotherham takeaway numbers soar

Outlets selling the high-calorie foods rose in number from 95 in 2010 to 170 in 2018 — an increase of 75 outlets, or 79 per cent.

The total is equal to 65 takeaways per 100,000 residents, which puts it in the worst 40 per cent of local authority areas. 

The fat-frying food shops make up 58 per cent of all eateries in the borough, placing Rotherham within the top six per cent of local authority areas.

Dr Thomas Burgoine, of The Centre for Diet and Activity Research, said: “The year-on-year growth in the takeaway sector is a concern.

“This has led to a situation where, in many parts of England, it’s common for takeaways to represent a third and sometimes up to half of all the high street food available, reducing consumer choice. 

“From a public health point of view, it should be healthy choices that are the easy choices — in many places, we seem to be moving away from that.”

Britain has one of the highest rates of overweight and obese children in the European Union.

The rate of severe obesity among Year 6 children is 4.2 per cent — up more than a third since 2006, according to Public Health England.

Chief nutritionist Dr Alison Tedstone said: “Many councils are challenged with striking the balance between a vibrant high street and a healthy one. 

“However, it’s difficult to make healthier choices when our neighbourhoods are saturated with takeaways.

“Everyone has a role in tackling obesity. Councils can help address the growth of fast food outlets and we’re working with the food and drink industry to make everyday products healthier.”

Among those urging the switch to healthy food is Joe Law (20), of Kevin Grove in Hellaby.

Four years ago, Joe (pictured below after his transformation) was eating up to two takeaways a day.

But he shed 17 stone after hitting the gym, before bulking back up to a muscular 20 stone.

Now he is inspiring friends to put down the fast food and pick up a dumbbell.

“I was having a Chinese or a pizza at lunchtime, rather than a meal deal or a school dinner,” said Joe.

“Sometimes I’d even have a sausage roll in the morning, on the way to school.

“My mum really tried to control my calories at home — but sometimes, if she’d had a hard day at work and didn’t want to cook, she’d order fast food.

“I wouldn’t tell her I’d already had it once, so I’d end up having it twice in one day.”

He added: “It was scary when someone took me to a gym — I’d never been before and everyone was staring.

“I don’t think I could have stuck at pure cardio training, but everything changed when I discovered bodybuilding.

“I wanted to look like a bodybuilder, so I worked hard at it. The gym staff were very supportive.

“Now I feel fantastic and I’m one of the most popular people to train with, because I’ve shown what you can achieve.”

On the takeaway boom, Joe insisted that the blame must be shared.

“It definitely didn’t help me that there were so many takeaways on the way to my school,” he said.

“But they’re just people trying to make a living, at the end of the day — they don’t make us eat junk.

“I think it’s down to us just wanting what’s easiest and cheapest.”