London Evening Standard/London

London was yesterday shamed in a poll of world cities for its appalling rates of childhood and adult obesity.

The capital was found to have relatively more seriously overweight children than New York, Sydney, Paris and Madrid. More than a third are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school.

London also performed poorly for adult obesity, with the third-worst rate, and had a 50% higher rate of smoking than Hong Kong, which topped the “healthy league” — and almost double the binge drinking. However, Paris was the worst for smoking and Sydney for drinking.

The research, by the London Health Commission was published as its chairman, pioneering surgeon Lord Darzi, yesterday joined Boris Johnson to urge Londoners to think about their health.

Lord Darzi said: “London’s health is at breaking point.”

Next month the commission will publish a report setting out recommendations on improving public health. This is likely to draw on best practice from other cities, and could endorse New York’s policy of having restaurants display calorie information on menus.

Having a single figure to set city-wide standards to improve health is likely to be mentioned. In London, the mayor has no control over NHS spending in London, while the 33 boroughs control public health budgets.

Lord Darzi said: “The capital has a higher rate of childhood obesity than anywhere else in the country, 22.4% for Year Six children in London compared with 18.9% in England as a whole. This cannot continue. There is so much more we could all be doing to support people to live healthily.”

Child obesity is regarded as a key measure because of the high probability that it will continue into adulthood, causing type-II diabetes and an increased risk of cancer and heart disease.

Johnson said: “We have already introduced a number of initiatives aimed at tackling obesity, promoting healthy eating and getting more active. There is more to be done.”