Practically eleven,000 admissions to hospital for obesity recorded in 2012-13

The latest figure is much more than eight times that of a decade in the past. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Photos

There were nearly 11,000 admissions to NHS hospitals in England for weight problems in 2012-13, official figures have unveiled.

Although the variety is down on the preceding 12 months – the first time there has been a yr-on-year decrease because the dataset starts in 2002/03 – it is much more than eight times the amount 10 years earlier and even now alarmingly higher, according to an obesity expert.

Dr Aseem Malhotra, who sits on the Academy of Healthcare Royal Schools weight problems steering group, explained: “These figures display that the weight problems epidemic is nevertheless a main public well being crisis. Even though there could be a small lower from last 12 months, they are nevertheless alarmingly high.

“It really is regarding that 1 year after the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges [AoMRC] – which represents almost every doctor in the United kingdom – published a checklist of ten recommendations on obesity, not a single one particular has been adopted. Until this takes place, this dilemma is only going to get worse.”

The academy recommendations consist of a tax on sugary soft drinks, public funding to lengthen excess weight management services, action to minimize the proximity of quickly foods shops to schools, and a unified system of traffic light food labelling for supermarkets and food manufacturers.

The Well being and Social Care Information Centre statistics showed there were ten,957 admissions to hospital with a primary diagnosis of weight problems in 2012/13, compared with eleven,736 more than the prior 12 months and one,275 in 2002/03. Regardless of the overall 12 months-on-12 months fall, there was an increase in admissions among the two the youngest and oldest age groups. The number of admissions amid underneath-16s rose twelve% to 556 and the quantity of admissions between those aged 65 and above rose 6% to 594.

There was also ten% enhance final yr from 2011/12 in the total amount of admissions with a major or secondary diagnosis (when it is deemed appropriate to care but not the very first diagnosis listed) of weight problems to 292,404.

Alison Tedstone, director of nutrition and diet program at Public Well being England, said: “PHE are committed to tackling weight problems as folks who are overweight or obese have an improved danger of creating variety 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. There is no silver bullet to lowering obesity it is a complicated concern that demands action at personal, household, neighborhood and national levels. We can all perform our element in this by consuming a wholesome, balanced diet and getting far more active.”

Practically eleven,000 admissions to hospital for obesity recorded in 2012-13