Town's obesity toll to cost taxpayers £92m
PUBLIC health bosses expect Doncaster's obesity problem to cost the taxpayer nearly £92 million this year.
The figure has emerged as the NHS revealed reversing the rising tide of obesity as one of its key priorities for 2010 in the borough.
In his latest annual report, Dr Tony Baxter, the joint director of public health for NHS Doncaster, revealed that 27.8 per cent of adults, 11.6 per cent of four to five-year-olds and 19.1 per cent of 10 to 11-year-olds are estimated to be obese in the borough.
And only 20 per cent of Doncaster school pupils aged 10 to 15 are eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day compared to around 23 per cent nationally, according to a survey by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Dr Baxter said: "We estimate that in 2010 the annual cost to the local NHS of treating diseases related to overweight will be nearly 92 million and we expect that figure to rise to over 98 million in 2015. These statistics show that we have a significant problem with obesity here in Doncaster and it is vital that we take immediate action to address this."
"Obesity can lead to increasingly adverse effects on health and wellbeing. Potential problems include respiratory difficulties, chronic musculoskeletal problems, depression, relationship problems and infertility.
NHS Doncaster has funded a three-year plan to tackle the rising obesity levels. It has commissioned two specialist weight management services for individuals and families in the area.
More than 500,000 has been invested in the services, which will give 500 adults and 200 children and young people a year the personalised support they need in working towards a healthier weight.
Carnegie Weight Management, childhood obesity specialists based at Leeds Metropolitan University, manages the young people's service, which launched for 11 to 17 year olds in October last year. The service for those aged between four and 10 started last month.
The adult service, Healthy Weight Solutions, which is also starting this year, will be run by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – which manages Doncaster Royal Infirmary and other local hospitals.
Dr Baxter said: "Doncaster people are taking part in active recreation programmes in record numbers showing that many people are motivated to make a real difference to their health and wellbeing."
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