BARNET: Borough ‘obese’ costing millions (From This Is Local London)

BARNET: Borough ‘obese’ costing millions

10:56am Friday 10th October 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Overweight and obese patients are costing Barnet health authorities £85.1 million a year and the bill could rise to £94.4 million within eight years.

The Government figures show the cost of a poor diet and lack of exercise to Barnet Primary Care Trust is more than £233,000 a day.

The statistics are based on the amount of money spent on treating patients with obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart problems.

Barnet Council’s cabinet member for public health, Councillor Helena Hart, said the council was working with partners to tackle the health issue.

“Obesity is a problem that cuts across the various diverse communities that make up the borough and affects people from every walk of life,” she added.

“One of the best things we can do is prevent children from becoming obese in the first place, which we are addressing in our children and young people plan.”

The spending by Barnet PCT on obesity is the seventh highest in London.

Sutton and Merton PCT spent the most in 2007 with £93.8 million. The lowest spen-der was Kingston PCT with £39.7 million.

In a paper discussed at the council’s cabinet meeting on Monday, council chiefs outlined the health and well-being commissioning framework, aimed at creating a “healthier Barnet”.

The document reveals there are 102,000 overweight adults in the borough, more than 50,000 obese men and women, and more than 4,000 people who are morbidly obese.

A spokesman for Barnet PCT was unavailable to comment.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)