NHS fat-fighting programme will help tubby Brits lose half a stone, experts claim
TUBBY Brits shed more than half a stone taking part in a pioneering NHS fat-fighting programme, health bosses will today reveal.
The taxpayer-funded £435-a-head slimming scheme offers free cookery and exercise classes in a radical bid to combat the nation’s obesity crisis.
Patients also get personal trainers to help plan gym sessions or outdoor activities over the nine-month course.
Early results from 2,277 people reveal overweight participants lost 3.7kg [8lbs 3oz] on average – the equivalent of 15 Big Macs in weight.
It was more than half over the original 2.4kg [5lbs 5oz] target of the scheme.
Speaking at the Diabetes UK’s annual conference, Simon Stevens said the first results are “positive”.
And the NHS England chief executive warns “obesity is the new smoking” with two in three adults now too fat.
Mr Stevens will say: “The NHS is already leading the way in the battle against the obesity crisis by slashing the sale of sugary drinks and super-sized snacks in hospitals, and the results now coming out of our diabetes prevention programme are also positive.”
Around 66,000 have signed up to the diabetes prevention programme so far – taking the total cost to near £30million.
Officials hope to recoup the cash by slashing the nation’s £10billion diabetes bill, with the disease mostly fuelled by excess weight.
Around 22,000 adults also die early each year due to the illness.
The scheme aims to help reduce risk in fat Brits – with NHS bosses hoping to get 200,000 referrals by 2018/19.
Experts claim losing just five per cent of weight can slash chances of diabetes by up to 60 per cent.
Professor Jonathan Valabhji, National Clinical Director for Diabetes and Obesity at NHS England, said the “very promising” results were part of the solution to the fat crisis.
He added: “Type 2 diabetes is heavily linked to obesity and if those on our programme continue to lose weight, then it is a step in the right direction.” Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, was more cautious.
MOST READ IN HEALTH NEWS
He said: “These early results, though not brilliant, are indeed better than hoped for.
“However, the programme needs to run several more years before anyone can lay claims to it being a success.”
Health bosses will also reveal hospital shops have sold 1.1million fewer chocolate bars in the past year.
But they have shifted an extra 175,000 pieces of fruit.
Duncan Selbie, Public Health England Chief Executive said: “The diabetes prevention programme is working, and alongside other public health interventions like sugar reduction it will help to turn the tide on obesity.”
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]