Shocking cost of obesity epidemic
10 October 2008 By Julie Wilson Sunderland Echo
Obese and overweight patients cost the NHS £245million across Sunderland and County Durham last year, according to a shocking new report.
But that figure could rise to £272million a year by 2015 if no action is taken to combat the problem, says the Government.
In Sunderland, the annual cost to the NHS of diseases related to obesity and being overweight was £88.4million in 2007, according to the Department of Health report.
In County Durham the cost was £156.7million and in South Tyneside £54.2million.
The new figures show for the first time the cost of obesity and being overweight to every primary care trust in England.
Nationally, the total was £4.2billion in 2007, which will rise £6.3billion in 2015 if no action is taken.
The figures were released as part of a “toolkit” the Government hopes will help health and council workers tackle the country’s weight problem.
In Sunderland, work is already being done to help obese and overweight people, ranging from health campaigns to weight- loss treatment.
Services being introduced by NHS South of Tyne and Wear include exercise and slimming classes on referral, a weight-management team, wellness service, anti-obesity drugs and weight-loss surgery.
They aim to help a wide range of people, from the slightly overweight to those with extreme problems.
In Sunderland, 24.1 per cent of adults are obese, compared with a national average of 21.8 per cent.
A spokesman for Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust said: “We already realise the need to tackle obesity, and detailed local plans are now in place.
“Obesity is one of our local priorities. A range of services are in place and being developed to address this specific problem.”
Miriam Davidson, locality director of public health, for County Durham and Darlington, said obesity was a key public health issue which posed a risk to health, well-being and life expectancy. She said: “Levels of obesity in County Durham and Darlington are among the worst in England. Actions under way to tackle obesity include promotion of breastfeeding, extending the Healthy Schools programme, increasing opportunities for outdoor play and promoting sport and leisure. There is also funding for a range of family based programmes for children and their whole family to change their lifestyle together.”
The Government’s toolkit, called Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives, includes advice for health workers on helping people to eat better diets and be more active.
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the link between obesity and preventable illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer “is undeniable”.
He warned: “In England, almost two-thirds of adults and a third of children are either overweight or obese. Without effective action this could rise to nine in 10 adults and two-thirds of children by 2050.”
Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: “Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face. Every year 9,000 people die prematurely. And many people simply just don’t know that being overweight can lead to major health problems including heart disease and cancer.
“We are leading the world when it comes to facing up to the problem and tackling obesity.”
