NHS spending £15m on treating obesity
The NHS in Lincolnshire is footing the second largest bill in England for its residents' lack of exercise.
The latest figures released by the Department of Health show that NHS Lincolnshire spent more than £15m in a year on treating long-term health conditions linked to obesity.
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These include heart attacks, strokes, some cancers including breast, and diabetes.
Figures calculated by researchers at Oxford University reveal that £15m was spent on treating these conditions in Lincolnshire in 2006/07, the most recent figures available.
Only one other primary care trust, Hampshire, spent more on treating diseases often caused by not taking enough exercise.
And with 30.8 per cent of Lincolnshire people now classed as obese – nine per cent higher than the English average – the county spend is almost certainly on an upward trend.
The assistant director of public health and partnership for NHS Lincolnshire, Tony McGinty, said that the trust was committed to addressing the rising levels of obesity in the county.
"As the sixth largest county in the UK, serving more than 720,000 people, investment in obesity services is significant," said Mr McGinty.
"NHS Lincolnshire is working closely with local authorities, the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership and school sports partners to continue developing initiatives aimed at children and adults to increase activity and reduce obesity levels."
The trust has allocated £1.9m of its budget for 2009/10 on free swimming schemes, walking for health projects, exercise referral programmes, rowing for fitness and the new Phoenix weight management services.
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by J, Lincoln
Thursday, September 03 2009, 5:35PM
“You are presuming the report was paid for, which is unlikely given the source.
It is an interesting problem and is not as easy as it appears. Yes on the surface less food more excercise does usually do the trick. However in studies where someone is given 10,000 calories a day they put on weight, as you would expect, and then no more. Stop the diet and they lose the weight and go back to where they were due to hyped up metabolism. Visa versa with low calorie intakes. Point is the bosy adapts and it is not always so simple. I am not making excuses, just saying human entropy is not straigh forward. With smoking or alcohol there is a straight forward choice, stop or continue. Yes there are mental factors such as addiction and dependance but stop using the drug and the problems go. With obesity giving up the burgers does not always lead to weight loss.
Although I am an avid sports fan and play some form of sport 6 days a week, I think that as the NHS has repaired when I have sprained an ankle or knocked out a tooth, they can look after someone with obseity related illnesses.”
by Ian, Heighington
Thursday, September 03 2009, 4:33PM
“Mmmn, these same illnesses have also been blamed on Smoking and Drinking. I wonder if next week there will be a report claiming the NHS is spending £15 Million on treating Smokers?
Makes you wonder how many millions have been spent on commissioning reports? I wonder how much of that £15 Million would be saved by sacking the managers that commission these reports?”
by hmm, lincoln
Thursday, September 03 2009, 3:53PM
“can't beat a good kebab though”
by John, Lincolnshire
Thursday, September 03 2009, 3:00PM
“Jaspers comments re nurses reminds me that 30 years ago I lived next door but three to a NHS Dietician who was about 5' 6" and at least 16 stone. Doesn' really contribute to the discussion but.......
Also - the lst time I saw Mr McGinty, the Assistant Director of Public Health which was about 5 years ago - like me, he was at least 3 stone overweight. Something about kettles springs to mind.”
by M C Donald, Lincoln
Thursday, September 03 2009, 2:57PM
“While I agree with many of the comments here about lack exercise and poor eating habits.
It is wrong to single out a section of society saying that they don't deserve treatment because their behaviour. Otherwise where will we stop, refuse treatment for heart disease and cancer of smokers, or mouth cancer or liver disease of drinkers, or broken arms and legs, bumps and scrapes etc of footballers and rugby players?
The figured released by the DoH are a bit weak as they identify money spent on treating diseases that are linked to but not necessarily uniquely caused by obesity. For example heart disease could be caused by drinking, smoking, lack of exercise, genetic defects, or sheer bad luck.
In saying that money spent on education people on exercise and healthy eating, especially the young, is money well spent. A stitch in time saves nine.”