‘Shape up to avoid crisis in hospitals’
Health bosses in Lincolnshire are putting their weight behind plans to avoid a crisis in hospitals serving the obese in South Holland.
According to a study by the Royal College of Physicians, doctors are worrying hospitals will not be able to cope if something isn’t done about the rising problem of obesity.
In the UK a quarter of all adults are classed as obese, costing the NHS about £5bn a year. It is estimated that the majority of the population will be classified as obese by 2050.
However, a spokesman for NHS Lincolnshire said there are a number of initiatives already in place to prevent any crisis.
Last year, it awarded Weight Watchers, including groups across South Holland, a contract to provide a 12-week programme to 4,000 adults with a BMI (body mass index) of over 30, who have been referred by a doctor.
It said it also funds various healthy lifestyle activities, as well as work in schools educating parents on portion size and giving children ‘me size’ plates.
Adam McVeigh commented on Facebook: “Yes, let’s blame fat people now for costing us too much money, just like we we’re told to do with the poor and then the disabled.”
Nigel Campbell said: “And they complain about smokers - at least we pay about 80 per cent tax on fags and baccy to cover ill health in later life.”
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Weather for Spalding
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
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