Obese offered help to cut their weight without need for surgery

Martin Slack

OVERWEIGHT and obese people are to be offered a new “weight management service” by medical specialists which aims to reduce the number of patients undergoing so-called “weight loss surgery”.

All four of South Yorkshire’s districts are judged to have serious obesity problems, with new figures showing that 50 per cent of Sheffield’s population is classified as either overweight or obese.

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As a result, the number of people being referred for expensive procedures such as a gastric bypass operation or gastric band surgery, has rocketed, and NHS bosses are keen to reduce the bill.

Now medics at NHS Sheffield, the primary care trust responsible for health services in the city, have unveiled a scheme called Weigh Ahead, which they hope will tackle problems without the need for surgery.

People who are referred to the group will need to meet certain criteria including being able to prove that they have been unsuccessful in managing their weight either alone or through commercial weight loss groups.

NHS Sheffield said Weigh Ahead would offer an intensive 12-week weight management programme. It will help people make long lasting changes to their lifestyle with the aim of reducing or maintaining their weight.

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The programme will be delivered by a range of experienced, qualified health professionals employed by the primary care trust and will provide “personalised support that is tailored to each individual”.

Sheila Turner, a specialist weight loss worker who will lead the Weigh Ahead programme, said: “Obesity is a significant health problem for Sheffield. Over half of Sheffield’s population are overweight or obese.

“Being overweight can seriously affect your health. Evidence shows it can also lead to longer term problems later in life such as coronary heart disease, type II diabetes and poor joints.

Ms Turner said personal or group sessions will be arranged with dietitians, physiotherapists and a psychologist, to help people make changes to their diet and physical activity to achieve their “weight loss goal”.

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Under Weigh Ahead a personal guide maintains weekly contact with each patient taking part in the programme to help answer any concerns and keep people inspired and motivated to reduce their food intake.

Access to a dedicated website also provides an opportunity to share problems, advice and experiences with other people on the programme through an online forum.

Ms Turner added: “In the past, surgery was the only alternative option for people who had tried to lose weight but had been unsuccessful. Weigh Ahead has been introduced to bridge this gap and offer an easily accessible programme of support.”

Weigh Ahead is the latest in a series of ideas to tackle South Yorkshire weight problems and earlier this year Doncaster PCT revealed that it expected to spend more than 90m this year treating conditions linked to obesity.

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In his 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 were estimated to be obese.

He estimated that in 2010 the annual cost to the local NHS of treating diseases related to being overweight would be nearly 92m and said he expected that figure to rise to over 98m in 2015.

As a result, NHS Doncaster announced it was funding a three-year plan to tackle the rising obesity levels.

Anyone in Sheffield who has a body mass index of over 40, or 35 with other health conditions, and thinks that they may benefit from the Weigh Ahead programme should speak to their doctor to arrange an appointment with the service.

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