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Obesity Operations Nearly Double
April 15, 2004 12:00 AM
Operations to treat obesity have nearly doubled in England since Labour came to power, and the Government plans to increase this figure eight times according to a report on obesity published today by Liberal Democrats.
In 1997 there were 280 operations and this has leapt to 538 last year. Guidelines from the Government advice body NICE have recommended that the number of operations should go up each year until they reach a maximum of 4000. A private hospital with services devoted entirely to carrying out operations on obese people is opening this year, and hopes to win contracts to treat NHS patients.
The report also finds:
-One in five English people is obese.
-The Government failed to meet their target to "raise significantly,
year on year, the time spent on sport and physical activity" by children. In fact, it declined.
-A Liberal Democrat survey on physical education and activity in
schools found that 50% of all Heads of PE believe sports facilities at their school have deteriorated over the last 5 years. Only 10% of all the Heads of PE described the general health and fitness of their pupils as 'good'. None described it as 'very good'.
-If all the children driven less than a mile to school walked instead
then the nation would shed up to 6.5million lbs.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Paul Burstow MP said:
"These figures are a sign of the future. It's not enough to just treat the symptoms of obesity, the causes must also be tackled.
"The obesity epidemic is shortening lives and increasing costs to the NHS. It is clear that the demand for surgery and other medical help is set to rocket. The only hope of containing these costs is if a concerted effort is launched to tackle the causes of obesity.
"Despite the mounting evidence, the Government continues to dither on this issue. Clear front of packet labelling is needed now so people can make informed choices on what to eat."
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