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Britain’s rising obesity could bankrupt the NHS

by Jane Stockton on Thu 26 Feb 2009 02:16 PM GMT | Permanent Link | Cosmos

According to a new report released by the NHS information centre yesterday, 2724 people underwent weight loss stomach surgery during 2007-08 – a massive increase of 40 per cent on the previous year. This is despite the fact that The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommend these drastic measures should only be carried out as a "last resort".

Experts are warning that Britain’s obesity problem is spiralling out of control as the number of people being treated for obesity related illnesses hits new record highs. Some 5018 people were admitted to hospital during 2007-08 because their excess weight was putting their health in danger – up 30 per cent on the previous year.

Equally alarming is the fact that the number of NHS prescriptions issued to treat obesity passed 1 million during 2007 for the first time, totalling 1.23 million. However, these prescription drugs can have unpleasant side effects and campaigners warn that they should only be used as a short-term measure and are not a magic solution.

Yesterday Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "The NHS faces bankruptcy if this isn't addressed. This is yet more frightening evidence of the dramatic impact of the obesity crisis, both in terms of the impact on individuals and the cost to the NHS. Effective action to tackle obesity is long overdue."

The fact is, there is no magic solution or secret remedy to this rising obesity problem. Ask anyone how to lose weight and the most common response would be ‘to eat healthily and exercise’ – it’s that simple. So if everyone knows what’s needed to lose weight, why have we got such a big problem?

As a nation, we need to realise that there are easy, effective and proven methods to squash cravings and become more motivated to get active. It’s not a secret, but still not many people seem to know about it. With obesity related health problems on such a dramatic rise, there has never been a more poiniant time tackle obesity, head-on and judging by this latest report from the NHS, something needs to be done – FAST.

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Re: Britain’s rising obesity could bankrupt the NHS

by kate on Thu 25 Mar 2010 12:00 PM GMT | Profile | Permanent Link

Obesity has become a worldwide problem, this isn't Britain's situation only, US is facing the same problem on a similar scale and other countries are following it fast. In my opinion it's all about the food we eat, we have got used to fast-foods meals and rarely cook for ourselves, we are simply too lazy and obesity is the price we pay for being so. Of course we have to do something, but no one can change his life style over night. Just imagine a really fat guy trying to have a morning run, considering there are years since he has done something like this before. Even if he decides to practice any sport he needs to lower his body mass. I have heard that an improved HCG weight loss diet could help anyone to get to that stage, the start is always harder but it should be just a matter of time till the that person eating habits would change too.

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