District is facing £92m obesity bill

Jeni Harvey

TREATING diseases brought on by being overweight or obese is set to cost the NHS in Doncaster a staggering 92m this year, it has been revealed.

In his latest annual report, Dr Tony Baxter, joint director of public health for NHS Doncaster, said that 27.8 per cent of adults, 11.6 per cent of four to five-year-olds and 19.1 per cent of 10 to 11-year-olds in Doncaster are estimated to be obese.

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In addition, only 20 per cent of Doncaster schoolchildren aged 10 to 15 are eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day – compared to around 23 per cent nationally – according to a survey by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Dr Baxter said: “Obesity can lead to increasingly adverse effects on health and wellbeing. Potential problems include respiratory difficulties, chronic musculoskeletal problems, depression, relationship problems and infertility.

“Obesity is responsible for 9,000 premature deaths each year in England and, on average, can reduce life expectancy by nine years.

“We estimate that in 2010 the annual cost to the local NHS of treating diseases related to being overweight will be nearly 92m and we expect that figure to rise to over 98m in 2015.

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“These statistics show that we have a significant problem with obesity here in Doncaster and it is vital that we take immediate action to address this.”

NHS Doncaster has funded a three-year plan to tackle the rising obesity levels, which involves commissioning two specialist weight management services.

More than 500,000 has been invested in the services, which will give 500 adults and 200 children each year support in losing weight.

The adult service, Healthy Weight Solutions, which begins this month, will be run by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

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Dr Baxter said: “Doncaster people are taking part in active recreation programmes in record numbers, showing that many people are motivated to make a real difference to their health and wellbeing.

“Along with the supporting services being commissioned, we are hopeful that this will lead to a reduction on local obesity rates into the future.”

Meanwhile, Carnegie Weight Management, childhood obesity specialists based at Leeds Metropolitan University, manages the young people’s service.

This was launched in October last year for 11 to 17-year-olds and the service for children aged between four and 10 began last month.

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Natalie Dunn, healthy living programme manager at DC Leisure, which delivers the clubs on behalf of Carnegie Weight Management, said: “The clubs offer a practical and realistic approach to weight loss, whilst enabling families to have fun.

“Families are encouraged to make small changes to everyday lifestyles to lose weight and maintain weight loss in a positive and supportive environment.

“Club members will get to take part in lots of physical activity, lifestyle sessions and social activity. They will make new friends, improve their self-esteem and learn more about physical activity opportunities in the local area.”

Carnegie Clubs were previously launched in neighbouring Rotherham, which last year sent 53 children to a Carnegie weight-loss summer camp. Between them, the youngsters lost a total of 53 stones in weight and one participant, 16-year-old Jessica Heywood, lost an impressive 26lb in six weeks.

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Jessica’s mother Liz Denton said: “It was mainly down to portion sizes and increasing her activity levels. Now, no food is banned, but she eats about half of what she used to.

“She’s gained so much in confidence, she’s like a different person.”

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