21st April 2009

RECESSION FUELS OBESITY CRISIS

With NHS spending on obesity-related illnesses set to reach £6.3 billion by 2015, medical experts are predicting an obesity epidemic and cash flow crisis in the worst hit areas of the recession.

The Weight Loss Surgery Group (WLS) has warned that cases of obesity are set to soar among those struggling financially, as they turn to convenience foods to cut back on increasingly high grocery costs.

A report released by the government last week revealed that the number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) in Birmingham more than tripled over the past year. * The number of unemployed people also rose significantly in Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool Hull, Bradford, Bristol and Kirklees. Although people in these areas are now looking to tighten their belts economically, they are at increased risk of obesity as the economic downturn takes its toll. WLS has forecast that the findings in the report will have a significantly negative impact on obesity incidences, especially in urban areas.

With recent reports that local consumers are buying record numbers of comfort food*, not only is the nation’s health being compromised, but also, due to the strain on the NHS, patients are increasingly being denied life-saving weight loss operations.
WLS is now calling on the people to consider their health options during the recession to prevent an obesity epidemic.

Colleen Campbell, nutrition expert and patient services manager at WLS, said: “As the economic downturn takes its toll, many people turn to ‘convenience’ food as, what the consumer believes to be, a cheaper alternative, but this type of food can often be less nutritious and more calorie dense. In addition, luxuries such as gym memberships get cancelled in a bid to save money.

“This means the country’s health is being overlooked. But healthy options don’t have to be expensive, so WLS is calling on locals to look at all the opportunities available to maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise despite the tense financial environment.”

The issue was highlighted at the recent conference “Tackling Obesity Together”, sponsored by WLS.

Doctor Roger Ackroyd, bariatric specialist and WLS key note speaker, said: “Obesity places a great pressure on health care providers as it escalates the number of cases of linked medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Making weight loss surgery more widely available can possibly reduce the number of these medical problems and extend a patient’s life expectancy by approximately 10 to 15 years, so it is vital that funding is found for these procedures. “

Professor of exercise and obesity, Paul Gately commented: “Obesity is strongly associated with deprivation. I urge locals, professionals and public alike, to work to combat this epidemic.”