Dramatic Increase In The Number Of Obesity-Related Hospital Admissions

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Diabetes
Article Date: 30 Oct 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The number of people in England being admitted to hospital for a condition linked to the fact that they are very overweight has jumped to 8,085 in 2008/09 - a 60 per cent rise on 2007/08 - according to a report released today by the NHS Information Centre.

The figures relate to obese people needing treatment for a variety of issues such as breathing problems, Type 2 diabetes, circulation or organ failure, or heart disease, that are all strongly linked to them being overweight. People receiving surgery such as stomach stapling are also included in the data.

Overall, in England there were 14.2 million hospital admissions in 2008/09, a 5 per cent increase on 2007/08 (13.5 million).

Being overweight a major risk factor for Type 2 diabetes

"Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes, a serious condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputations or kidney disease," said Libby Dowling, Care Advisor at Diabetes UK.

"As obesity levels are increasing in the UK, so does the number of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes costs NHS £1 million per hour

"The NHS already spends £1million per hour on diabetes and its complications and statistics show that currently 1 in 10 people in hospital in the UK have diabetes.

"We must do everything we can to address the increase in obesity levels and the associated increase in the number of people with Type 2 diabetes.

4 in 5 cases of Type 2 diabetes are preventable

"We know that 80 per cent of Type 2 diabetes is preventable by adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity, so it is crucial to encourage people to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables but low in sugar, salt and fat, and to be physically active."

Source
Diabetes Uk