York's obesity hospital admissions 'highest in the country'
NHS Digital data reveals that in York, there were 7,060 hospital admissions where obesity was a primary or secondary factor in 2019-20.
There's a warning about obesity levels in York following a new report.
NHS England medical director Professor Stephen Powis said the latest "shocking" figures, which show obesity-related admissions have risen by nearly a fifth nationally, are a growing sign that an obesity crisis is sweeping the nation.
The NHS Digital data report reveals that in York "there were 7,060 hospital admissions where obesity was a primary or secondary factor in 2019-20.
"That was 3,493 in every 100,000 residents – the highest rate in Yorkshire and The Humber, and up from the previous year's figure of 3,321. Three years earlier, the rate was 1,907.
"Women accounted for more than three in five obesity-related hospital cases in York in 2019-20, the figures reveal.
"Nationally, there were just over 1 million admissions due to obesity in 2019-20 – up 17% from 2018-19, and equating to rate of 1,869 in every 100,000 people.
"There was huge disparity in rates across England, with the most deprived areas worse affected than those with low deprivation levels.
"Yorkshire and The Humber was the fourth-worst affected of the country's nine regions, with a rate of 1,924 per 100,000 population".
Professor Powis said the nation's "obesity crisis" is putting hundreds of thousands of people at greater risk of becoming severely ill with Covid, as well as heart attacks, stroke, cancer and other deadly diseases.
"Carrying extra pounds not only puts a strain on your physical health, but also on the health service," he added.
"As lockdown restrictions start to ease, there has never been a better time to take steps to live a healthier lifestyle."
Peter Roderick is a public health consultant at Vale of York CCG and City of York Council: "We need to do more because this impacts on a lot of people's lives.
"It leads to premature mortality from obesity-related causes and getting diseases that can be nasty to live with - such as diabetes.
"We have to think about the food that we eat and what it contains. We often use the phrase 'high in salt, fat and sugar' - food we probably wouldn't have been eating a hundred or two hundred years ago.
"We do have a lot of anecdotal evidence and data coming through that the consumption of unhealthy food has gone up during the pandemic.
"I think the pandemic has definitely impacted on things, but we have to build back in terms of transport and in terms of eating. We have to build back healthier if we want to do something about obesity in the city of York for the future".
The Government has announced a raft of new measures to help tackle obesity, including a ban on junk food adverts online and calories on menus for meals.
Diabetes UK, which has campaigned for menu calorie labelling as part of its Food Upfront campaign, welcomed the move.
Helen Kirrane, the charity's head of policy, campaigns and mobilisation, said: "Obesity is the single greatest risk factor for type 2 diabetes. There are an estimated 13.6 million people at increased risk of developing the condition in the UK.
"We are glad that the Government has committed to making large takeaway, cafe and restaurant chains in England label the food they sell. This will hopefully lead to improved menus and healthier options.
“We hope it will bring these large businesses more in line with the food retail sector when it comes to giving people clear calorie information for the food they buy."