'Tough love' is needed in the obesity battle
Simon Stevens urged families to make a fresh start in their eating habits as he revealed plans for the health service to put 50,000 people on a diet.
Under the national initiative, those whose weight puts them at increased risk of diabetes will be offered “lifestyle coaching,” cookery classes and fitness sessions in a bid to beat the bulge.
Britain’s obesity levels are among the worst in the world, with two thirds of adults and one third of young children obese or overweight.
Mr Stevens said the pioneering programme aimed to help those whose current weight put them at risk of diabetes, which is estimated to cost the NHS almost £10bn a year.
But he also urged parents to make a New Year’s resolution to change the daily diet of their children, in order to prevent obesity – by standing firm against demands for junk food and fizzy drinks.
It follows research which found that 91 per cent of mothers and 80 per cent of fathers of obese children are blind to the fact their offspring have a weight problem.
Mr Stevens told The Telegraph: “The NHS is now upping its game on prevention, helping 50,000 high risk individuals stave off type 2 diabetes.
“But unless we also take back control of our own health, 2017 is going to mean another 200,000 people getting obesity-related type 2 diabetes.”
