The number of cases of weight-loss stomach surgery performed on obese people by the NHS more than doubled between 2006/7 and 2008/09, a report from The NHS Information Centre shows. The NHS performed 4,220 bariatric procedures (which include stomach stapling, gastric bypasses and sleeve gastrectomy) on obese people in 2008/09 compared to 1,950 in 2006/07.
The figure also represents a 55% increase on 2007/08 when 2,724 obese people underwent such procedures. Statistics on obesity, physical activity and diet: England 2010 includes new analysis on the health outcomes of people who are overweight and obese as well as a summary of already published diet, exercise and weight-related information.
Among its new data, the report shows:
• The number of people admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of obesity increased by nearly 60% per cent between 2007/08 and 2008/09, rising from 5,020 to 7,990. The 2008/09 figure is eight times higher than in 1998/9 (950).
• The number of prescription items dispensed to treat obesity was 1.28 million in 2008 – ten times higher than it was in 1999 (127,000).
Chief executive of The NHS Information Centre Tim Straughan said: “This report highlights the impact of obesity not just on society, but on the NHS. The figures show a clear rise in hospital admissions, surgical procedures and drug therapies to help people tackle their obesity.”
