Wirral is the area worst affected by obesity in the UK, according to NHS figures.
A report found that Wirral had the highest rate of hospital admissions where obesity was a factor, with 3,804 per 100,000, more than anywhere else in the UK.
The number is particularly concerning in the current climate, given that obese people are three times as likely to die from coronavirus and seven times as likely to need ventilation if they catch it, according to Public Health England.
The NHS report states that extra weight does not appear to impact someone's potential for contracting Covid-19, but can inhibit their immune system's ability to fight it off.
Wirral’s coronavirus infection rate has grown in the last seven days.
Currently, there are 753 cases in the borough at a rate of 232 per 100,000 - the highest in the Liverpool City Region and a big rise on the rate of 137 per 100,000 recorded just a week earlier.
A review of the tier system in England is due to take place this afternoon.
The announcement could see Wirral, along with the rest of the city region, which also includes Sefton, Liverpool, St Helens, Knowsley and Halton, put under tougher Tier 3 rules.
The obesity admission figures from the NHS report, which uses numbers compiled in 2018/19, show that the next most obese areas are Wigan, York, Stoke-on-Trent and Nottingham, which each recorded obesity admission rates of over 3,000 per 100,000.
For the country overall, obesity admission rates ranged from 413 to 3,804 per 100,000, with the national average 1,615 per 100,000.
The news comes after the government announced earlier this week that ‘buy one get one free’ promotions and other multibuy offers on unhealthy foods will be restricted from April 2022 under plans to tackle obesity.
Retailers must also stop offering promotions on other unhealthy foods in prominent places, such as at checkouts or store entrances.
On Monday, ministers announced the new restrictions will apply to foods high in fat, salt or sugar - including cakes, crisps, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, pizzas and ready meals.
