Local NHS counts the cost of bad diet and exercise

Obesity costs NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale £63.4million a year according to new figures released today (Tuesday 7 October).

The figures set out the cost of diseases related to being overweight or obese in 2007, and if no action is taken, the cost will rise to £70.4million by 2015.

Wendy Meston, consultant in public health at NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, said: “Obesity is a health problem in our borough so we are investing in developing services with a range of partners to support people to lose weight, maintain their weight loss, and also in interventions to prevent obesity occurring in the first place.

“Our healthy lifestyles strategy, called ‘do you feel good?’, has a very successful weight management scheme which provides vouchers for people to attend Slimming World or Weight Watchers scheme free of charge for 12 weeks. So far 3,000 have been helped by this programme, with the average weight loss being around 9lbs.

“We also have schemes to educate people about how to eat more healthily, such as Cook and Taste sessions in the community, as well as a fantastic Gym Scheme that helps people to get more active. Similar to weight management, the scheme provides a leisure pass for 12 weeks unlimited access to a local gym, where people can attend free gym sessions. Other initiatives on offer throughout the Borough include activities such as health walks and cycle days.

Nationally being overweight or obese cost the NHS £4.2billion in 2007. This could rise to £6.3billion in 2015.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: "Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face - every year 9,000 people die prematurely. And many people simply just don't know that being overweight can lead to major health problems including heart disease and cancer."

The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said: "The link between obesity and preventable illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer is undeniable. In England almost two-thirds of adults and a third of children are either overweight or obese; without effective action this could rise to nine in ten adults and two-thirds of children by 2050."