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Crisis Fears Grow As Obesity-Linked Deaths Rise 50 Per Cent

Posted on: Monday, 5 December 2005, 09:00 CST

By HELEN PUTTICK and MARTIN WILLIAMS

THE number of deaths linked to obesity has risen by nearly 50 per cent in a decade.

Obesity was mentioned as a contributory cause in 139 deaths last year, from 95 in 1995, according to new Scottish Executive figures.

An expert has also warned that the obesity epidemic will claim even more lives as it gathers pace.

The revelation has increased pressure on ministers to do more to tackle the problems associated with the condition.

The statistics, produced in answer to a written question by the SNP, underline concerns about the health of the nation raised in the Scottish Health Survey 2003 report published last month. It portrayed a country that continued to indulge in binge drinking, ignored warnings about obesity, had little regard for diet, and failed to exercise adequately.

Obesity among men rose from 19 per cent to 22 per cent, and from 21 per cent to 24 per cent in women, according to the survey of the five-year period to 2003. Obesity among boys went up 4 per cent, but dropped slightly in girls.

Shona Robison, SNP shadow health spokeswoman, suggested schools could play a bigger part in tackling the problem by having longer sessions of physical education and developing personal fitness plans for pupils. "I think this is more evidence that we have to do far more to try and reduce levels of obesity, particularly among young people and children, because we know that overweight and obese children become overweight and obese adults.

"Children only get two hours a week of PE in schools and I think that is far too little."

It is thought an increase in awareness of obesity among medical professionals can partly account for the rise. Dr David Haslam, a GP and clinical director of the National Obesity Forum, said details of the contributory factors mentioned on death certificates could reflect the changing recording habits of different GPs.

But he predicted that obesity, which contributes to potentially fatal health problems such as heart attacks, would begin to claim more lives. "There is a seven to 10-year gap between onset of obesity and onset of diabetes, and then another few years to onset of heart disease.

"We are so early in the epidemic of obesity that we have not seen it. But we will see a big increase in deaths from obesity-related conditions."

The executive said it believed its strategic approach to improve diet and physical activity was having an effect, but results would happen only in the longer term. "We are seeing positive signs of improvement. Peoples' attitudes towards eating are changing. Men and women are also getting more active, " said a spokeswoman.

"We know that it will take generations to turn the tide of ill- health and health inequalities. That is why we are taking work forward in a number of areas to tackle the problem and make the healthy choice the easy choice. Change will not happen overnight but we are committed to this for the long term."

A group of experts is also to tell the executive that fertility clinics should refuse to treat clinically obese women. If accepted, it would be the first time the health service in Scotland has agreed a blanket policy of refusing treatment because of weight. Glasgow Royal Infirmary fertility clinic follows this policy.

Source: Herald, The; Glasgow (UK)

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