HALF OF ALL BRITS OBESE IN 30 YEARS
NHS risks being ‘overwhelmed’ as crisis grows
THE NHS faces being “overwhelmed” by the obesity crisis with 48% of us predicted to be overweight by 2045.
Experts at the European Congress on Obesity warned adult cases have topped 31% here and must be cut to under 24% to prevent a diabetes timebomb.
University College London analysed population data with Novo Nordisk Research and Development in Denmark.
Lead researcher Dr Alan Moses, of Novo Nordisk, said: “If the UK does not make changes, obesity could progress to 48%. For those countries where diabetes prevalence is past 10%, the likelihood of getting it below that is small. But it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.
“The other issue is time lag. It takes 10 to 15 years for obesity to translate to diabetes. So even if we all stopped getting fatter today, we’d still see more cases.
“We are undergoing a rising trend for both obesity and diabetes and it is unsustainable for patients and healthcare systems.
“The NHS will be overwhelmed unless action is taken.”
Previous research found we are Western Europe’s fattest nation. The new study, presented at the Vienna conference, showed us in second out of eight major nations, behind the US, for projected 2045 levels. Globally, 22% of people are predicted to be obese by the date.
Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: “Governments have continuously failed to take the action required to stem the epidemic. This study is entirely believable and desperately sad.”
Separate research presented today shows even boys of healthy weight are less fit than 20 years ago. Pupils put through the “bleep test” ran on average 5.1 shuttles in 1996 and just 4.8 in 2016.
The authors of the Spanish study say greater focus should be placed on child fitness rather than just weight.
31% The estimated amount of British adults who are already obese
22% Estimated amount of global population that will be obese by 2045
We are undergoing a rising trend for obesity and diabetes DR ALAN MOSES ON LATEST STUDY FINDINGS