As the North-South divide debate gains traction again as Andy Burnham is accused of "waging a war on the capital", new 2026 data from the weight loss experts at ZAVA has crowned Richmond Borough as the UK's healthiest habit hotspot.

As two-thirds of adults are overweight and living with obesity in the UK, the findings highlight how some parts of the country may offer more supportive environments for maintaining healthier routines than others.

ZAVA's "Healthy Habit Index" ranks UK local authorities based on environmental and behavioural health indicators, including the proximity of fast food outlets to gyms, adult obesity prevalence, self-reported activity levels, smoking rates, and alcohol overconsumption.

Top five UK hotspots with healthiest lifestyles

The data confirms that the area found to have the healthiest lifestyle habits is Richmond upon Thames, with an unhealthy habits score of 2.66 out of 10.

The area boasts 57% of its land covered by more than 100 parks and green spaces, contributing towards a healthy lifestyle.

Only 6.6% of residents smoke, and only 10.5% of their adult population are considered obese. Despite having an average of four fast food outlets surrounding their gyms, 75.3% of residents self-reported exercising for 150+ minutes per week, with 45% of residents walking regularly.

In second is West Berkshire, with an unhealthy habits score of 3.64 out of 10. The area is home to gyms that are surrounded by an average of two fast food outlets, but is also home to two Green Flag-winning parks.

West Berkshire has an alcohol overconsumption rate of 9.6 per 1,000 adults, the lowest rate in the healthiest top five, and 10% of residents are smokers.

The area has an abundance of countryside and walking and cycling routes, while around a third of trips are already made by active travel, contributing towards 70.5% of residents self-reporting that they are active 150+ minutes per week.

Oxford ranks third with a score of 3.85 out of 10. The city encourages residents to stay active by investing in active travel, with plans to increase weekly cycling trips from 600,000 to one million by 2031, helping to drive the highest activity levels in the healthiest top five (75.4%).

The gyms in Oxford are each surrounded by an average of five fast food outlets. Only 9.3% of residents are smokers, and the alcohol overconsumption rate is 10.5 per 1,000 adults.

In fourth is South Gloucestershire with a score of 4.12 out of 10.

Over 40% of South Gloucestershire is made up of Green Belt land, providing ample space for residents to maintain healthy lifestyles, with 68.7% of residents self-reporting that they are active 150+ minutes per week.

The gyms in the area are each surrounded by an average of three fast food outlets, potentially adding pressure to maintain those healthy habits.

Cheshire East ranks fifth with an unhealthy habits score of 4.22 out of 10. The area is home to several gyms that are only surrounded by an average of one fast food outlet, reducing the temptation of multiple unhealthy food options.

Only 8.7% of residents in Cheshire East are smokers, and the alcohol overconsumption rate stands at 11 per 1,000 adults, the highest within the healthiest top five.

Cheshire East is home to more than 1,900km of public rights of way, which the council identifies as opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities to maintain healthy lifestyles, as more than two-thirds (66.9%) of residents do by staying active 150+ minutes per week.

North vs. South divide

Notably, four of the top five unhealthy habit places are in the North of England with the other belonging to the Midlands, whereas four of the top five healthy habit places are in the South of England and only one belongs to the North.

Many factors can influence the lifestyles of residents on both sides of the country, particularly transport links, as around 64% of drivers in Northwest England say that they would struggle to reach their jobs without their own vehicle, compared to 31% in London.

Additionally, in London, 62% of the urban population live within walking distance of a park, whereas in cities in the Northwest of England, less than a quarter (24%) live within walking distance of a Green Flag accredited park.

Speaking about healthy habots, Dr Crystal Wyllie at ZAVA said: "Creating healthy habits in an environment full of temptation can feel daunting, but it's absolutely possible with small, consistent changes.

"You want to start by focusing on what you can control, for example, planning meals in advance, keeping healthy snacks on hand, and scheduling regular physical activity.

"Even small adjustments, like taking the stairs instead of the lift, swapping a fizzy drink for sparkling water, and walking 10 minutes after lunch, all add up over time and help make healthier choices automatic rather than forced.

"It's also important to be mindful of your environment. If fast food outlets and alcohol are easily accessible, try to set up 'friction' for unhealthy options, like avoiding specific routes that pass takeaways or keeping alcohol out of sight at home.

"Pairing healthy habits with rewards, support from friends or family, and setting realistic goals can make a huge difference. Ultimately, it's about creating a lifestyle that works for you, rather than relying solely on willpower in the face of temptation."

To help keep residents healthy, Richmond Council recently called on the government for more investment into walking and cycling infrastructure across the borough.

Richmond borough also recorded the third lowest smoking rate of any local authority in England back in January.