Obesity

Weight loss surgery carried out on obese people increased by 40% last year, according to new figures.
The NHS performed 2,724 cases in 2007/08 of "bariatric surgery", which includes stomach stapling, gastric bypasses and sleeve gastrectomy, according to a report from the NHS Information Centre.

Overall hospital admissions for obesity also increased, up 30% from the previous year to 5,018. From 2006 to 2007 the number of NHS prescriptions dispensed on the NHS to treat obesity increased by 16% to 1.23 million.

The statistics on obesity, physical activity and diet in England showed that men, women and children have become more obese in the past decade.

In 2007 24% of adults were classed as obese, with a body mass index of 30 or more, with men and women equally likely to be overweight.

"Obesity can pose major health risks by potentially increasing the likelihood of such diseases as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, and a range of other, often life-threatening, conditions.

"The report shows that since 1997 a greater proportion of adults are meeting Government guidelines for the amount of physical activity they should be doing to stay healthy and since 2001 a greater proportion of both adults and children are eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

"Obesity increases the risk of health problems for many millions of people and our report shows measures such as weight-loss surgery and medication are being used increasingly."

The report also found more people should be worried about the size of their waists, which indicates a health risk.