Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSObesity hospital admissions and weight loss surgery rates soar
The number of people admitted to hospital for obesity rose almost 60% last year while the number having weight-loss surgery rose 55%, figures showed today.
There were 5,020 admissions with a primary diagnosis of obesity in 2007-08, but this rose to 7,990 in 2008/09 (a 59% rise), the data for England revealed.
The 2008-09 figure is more than eight times higher than the 950 admissions recorded in 1998-99.
The NHS Information Centre also revealed a rise in the number of people undergoing weight-loss surgery, such as stomach stapling or having a gastric band fitted.
Previously published data on the number of prescriptions for obesity show there were 1.28 million items dispensed in 2008 - 10 times higher than the 1999 figure of 127,000.
NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: “The figures show a clear rise in hospital admissions, surgical procedures and drug therapies to help people tackle their obesity.”
Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the RCN, said: “It is deeply concerning that obesity continues to be a significant threat to the long and short-term health of over 60% of adults, and a quarter of children, who are overweight or obese.
“As we approach the general election, the RCN is calling on all political parties to commit to protecting the nation’s health by tackling the root causes of ill health.
“Investment in school nurses and health visitors will help put children on the right track at an early age, which is crucial in turning around the obesity crisis.”
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Readers' comments (3)
Anonymous | 13-Feb-2010 10:44 pm
I don't fair to associate the grapefruit as a primary cause in this case, from study itself its clear this lady had several other high risk factors which could readily have contributed to her condition.
I remember many years ago doing a grapefruit diet for a lot longer than 3 days without suffering DVts etc, plus at time I was approx 20lbs overweight, on combined oral contraceptive pill, altough I cannot say I travelled on many long journeys at that time.
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Anonymous | 13-Feb-2010 10:44 pm
I think its don't fair to associate the grapefruit as a primary cause in this case, from study itself its clear this lady had several other high risk factors which could readily have contributed to her condition.
I remember many years ago doing a grapefruit diet for a lot longer than 3 days without suffering DVts etc, plus at time I was approx 20lbs overweight, on combined oral contraceptive pill, altough I cannot say I travelled on many long journeys at that time.
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Anonymous | 13-Feb-2010 11:49 pm
I for one am grateful that this surgery is availble on NHS. People will argue that its the fault of obese people themselves for their problems and NHS should not have to pay the cost of remedial surgery.
Certainly from my own perspective I was not overweight as a child I feel my problems began post pregnancy and having battled my weight for best part of 25 years trying lots of diets (both sensible and radical) and diet pills/gym sessions and having lost a total of 22lbs, then having been diagnosed in 1993 with an underactive thyroid (approx 8 years after I began to seriously gain weight despite post pregnancy dieting), which I understand can happen as an autimmune response in pregnancy.
Although I am presently around 128kg I luckily don't have major health problems yet but its only a matter of time, presently I am only bothered with multiple joint/muscle problems and mild asthma, but without the weight loss I hope the surgery will bring I am likely need long term medications (thyroxine/painkillers/inhalers etc) and possible back/joint surgery later as well as possibly having to stop working due to ill health and therefore becoming dependant on state.
I feel if the cost of one off surgery to NHS is weighed up and compared to savings made to medications/future surgery/long term disability benefits then it is beneficial all around.
Furthermore before obese people are condemmed altogether lets look at other drains on NHS resources such as heavy smokers/illegal drug takers/alcoholics who all get ongoing support from NHS for their conditions.
Over the past 17 years I have found my weight has continued to escalate despite thyroxine and a fairly active job, although
I acknowledge poor eating habits during my working week are also to blame due to difficult shift patterns and often missed or short meal breaks which means I find myself eating small snacks on the go most of the time and having a main meal when I got home physically/mentally exhausted at end of a shift, on days off/holidays however I eat more sensible portions and at regular intervals.
Overall I try to eat healthy choosing low fat and low sugar foods but still have a problem with portion size as I am often so hungry its difficult to estimate what I really could eat and another bad habit of eating very quickly again due to short breaks etc means I don't feel full quick enough to stop me eating the lot.
The feedback on these types of surgery are so encouraging (the average weight loss being 5 -8 stones in first year) that I have opted for this as a last resort and I am now on waiting list to have gastric surgery in a desperate attempt to regain my full health.
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