UK hospitals in crisis as cases of silent killer linked to obesity surge
A record number of patients are being admitted to hospital with obesity-related conditions.
The full scale of the obesity crisis sweeping Britain can be laid bare with new figures showing hospitals are dealing with record numbers of admissions for obesity-related conditions.
Cases involving high blood pressure, dubbed a silent killer due to its lack of symptoms, are up nearly 700 percent on a decade ago. And doctors are also treating record numbers of kids. Many are requiring treatment for obesity-linked asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure.
While others are suffering with gallstones, knee derangement and even sleep apnoea - a potentially deadly condition where your breathing stops and starts while you’re asleep.
Last night experts described the situation as “deeply concerning” and warned Britain’s growing obesity crisis was showing no signs of slowing down.
The full extent of the rising number of conditions emerged via new data released last week by NHS Digital.
It details admissions to NHS hospitals for patients suffering conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, internal derangement of knee, gallstones, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and sleep apnoea.
The data shows that total cases of admissions related to obesity-linked high blood pressure soared by 688 percent in a decade from 564 cases to 4,442.
In patients aged 17 and under, admissions were up 140 percent over the same time period. Total cases of admissions related to obesity linked diabetes rose by 241 percent from 5,544 to 18,928.
Cases involving those aged 17 and under rose by 153 percent. Admissions for asthma linked obesity have leapt by 239 percent in 10 years from 4,325 to 14,649. In patients aged 17 and under they’ve soared by 64 percent since 2014.
The number of children aged 17 and under needing treatment for knee derangement has risen by 113 percent. And cases of kids suffering sleep apnoea are up by 102 percent in the last ten years.
Lynn Crilly, a counsellor who specialises in supporting children with eating disorders, said: “It’s deeply concerning to see so many children developing potentially life-threatening conditions linked to obesity.
“I don’t think it’s any surprise that these figures have hit record highs since lockdown, where many children were unable to go out for months and months on end. We need to totally refocus how we are approaching the child obesity crisis and ensure youngsters get better support and treatment.”
Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, said: “Obesity remains a primary cause of asthma and Covid-19 may have had a lot to do with the recent surge.
"But climate change and the generally warmer weather must now also be factored in. This increase must be another reminder for parents to keep their children in shape.”
