Admissions to NHS hospitals where obesity was recorded as either a primary or secondary diagnosis increased by 15 per cent last year. So what can be done to reverse this widening trend? An annual collection of new and previously within hospitals becoming a more difficult published figures on obesity, titled issue to address. While it is widely agreed Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity that public health budgets need to be and Diet, England, 2019, claims that strengthened, especially at local authority there were 94,000 more admissions to level, for obesity to be prevented rather NHS hospitals as a result of obesity last than treated, it is worrying that findings year, and increase of 15 per cent. within hospitals are equally concerning. According to the statistics, which also At the end of May, Scotland issued a examined other obesity-related figures, restriction on the sale of high-energy such as prescription items, prevalence drinks to under-16s from shops on NHS among adults and children as well as sites. The restriction will apply to drinks physical activity and diet, approximately with an added caffeine content of more two thirds of the admissions where than 150mg/litre and is the latest update obesity was recorded as either a primary to the Healthcare Retail Standard, a set of or secondary diagnosis in 2017/18 were criteria which all retailers operating in NHS for women, and women accounted for 79 sites in Scotland must adhere to. It aims per cent of the 6,627 Finished Consultant to increase the amount of healthier food Episodes for bariatric surgery in 2017/18. and drinks in shops in NHS buildings, with Looking at prevalence, the report tighter rules around what can be promoted. establishes that adult obesity prevalence Scottish Public Health Minister Joe stood at 29 per cent in 2017, an increase FitzPatrick said that the Healthcare Retail from 26 per cent in 2016. Prevalence of child Standard ‘supports healthier eating across obesity in both Reception and Year 6 was the NHS estate’ and recognised that it over twice as high in the most deprived areas was right that Scottish hospitals ‘show than in the least deprived areas; a lead in providing food and drink 13 per cent compared to which is health promoting’. six per cent in Reception The year, and 27 per cent Junk food Univers compared to 12 per Whilst the Healthcare Retail ity of Aber cent in Year 6. Standard ensures that at deen sugges least 50 per cent of food ted tha t caps could li Scottish and 70 per cent of drinks on mit the restrictions sale are healthier options, c a lo fat, sug The figures health psychologists ar and rie, conten salt are doing little at the University of t of in to reverse the Aberdeen have revealed items o dividual trend of obesity that people overwhelmingly n NH
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bought unhealthy snacks and drinks on hospital premises. Also published in May, the audit findings have led researchers, both within Scotland and across the UK, to call for radical restrictions on junk food on NHS premises. According to a report by the audit’s authors, three-quarters of the bestselling snacks in hospital catering areas were rated as unhealthy, along with half of the most popular cold drinks. In fact, only five of the 20 top selling snacks were found to be healthy. The University of Aberdeen researchers refrained from proposing an outright ban on junk food, but did suggest that caps could limit the calorie, fat, sugar and salt content of individual items, and that hospitals should use behavioural ‘nudges’ to encourage people to buy healthier foods. This is beyond what the Healthcare Retail Standard is currently encouraging. Local level change At the start of the year, 13 local authorities were promised funding and support to develop innovative plans to reduce childhood obesity that can be shared across the country. With each of the local authorities receiving £10,000 in funding as well as targeted support to develop practical plans, the Department of Health and Social Care said at the time that five successful authorities will be selected to take their plans forward over three years. Part of the government’s Trailblazer programme, in partnership with the Local Government Association, the three-year programme will focus on inequalities and work closely with local authorities to: test the limits of existing powers through innovative and determined action to tackle childhood obesity; share learning and best practice to encourage wider local action; develop solutions to local obstacles; and consider further actions that government can take to support local action and achieve large-scale changes. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.healthbusinessuk.net
Issue 19.2 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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