Statistics on obesity, physical exercise and diet: England 2007/8

The Information Centre [IC] for Health and Social Care
February 25th 2009, February 2009

The stark headlines -40% increase in bariatric surgery, 30% increase in hospital admissions for obesity and an 11% and 12% increase in boys and girls respectively since 1995 ‚Äìshow just how bad the obesity situation in England has become.  Though NOF was quoted in by every national newspaper as being horrified at each statistic it has to be said, in the calmer language of this website, that it recognises the need for bariatric surgery when all other attempts at weight-loss have failed.  Prevention must always be better than cure and NOF will continue to remind the government of this need.

There is a glimmer of hope.  IC statistics which the press were less inclined to headline were that a greater proportion of adults were meeting guideline on physical activity, that a greater proportion of both adults and children were eating five portions of fruit a day and that the rise in childhood obesity appears to be flattening out.  Regarding this latter finding, IC recognises that data in the next couple of years will be important in confirming whether this is a continuing pattern.

 

Orlistat “ over-the-counter “

January 21st 2009

NOF welcomes the decision to allow Orlistat, the weight-loss drug, to be sold over-the-counter and has been working closely with GlaxoSmithKline [GSK] to ensure that its introduction to the market in May runs as smoothly as possible.  The non-prescription pill is to be known as alli¬Æ and is half the size of regular Orlistat medication [60mg].  It will be available for people of a BMI of 28kg/m¬≤.  Dr David Haslam, NOF chair and clinical director, states:- ‚Äú Research has shown that consumers are spending millions of pounds each year on fad diets, unproven ‚Äò miracle ‚Äò pills and potentially unsafe weight-loss supplements.  Medically proven licensed products give consumers the option of something which can  genuinely support meaningful weight loss.  For many, losing weight can become the catalyst to improvements in their overall health and self-esteem ‚Äú.

Read more: Orlistat “ over-the-counter “

Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures

Department of Health & Department for children, schools and families
February 12th 2009

Both NOF and its sister charity concerned at the level of childhood obesity in the UK, the Child Growth Foundation [CGF], are flabbergasted at this document.  It recommends absolutely no routine measure whatsoever capable of identifying the early signs of pre-school unhealthy weight gain despite stating repeatedly how urgently obesity must be addressed in the UK.  Both charities have consistently urged Government actively to make provision for picking up children at risk of piling on the pounds at an age when lifestyle messages may best be learnt by them.  The best time is during the pre-school years and children‚Äôs growth should be assessed at specific early years ages in the same way that there are agreed ages for vaccinations.

Read more: Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures