Obesity-related illnesses cost the NHS £6 billion a year. Seven in 10 people who report living with a long-term musculoskeletal problem are either living with overweight or obesity – and musculoskeletal problems account for 20 per cent of GP consultations.1,6

Obesity is also the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK with more than 1 in 20 cancer cases caused by excess weight.1

People living with obesity are more likely to experience respiratory issues including obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea, and obesity is associated with asthma. Obesity is also associated with mental health problems.1

Before Covid emerged, obesity was directly attributable for more than 11,100 hospital admissions in England in 2018-19. A further 876,000 admissions had obesity as a factor, a 23 per cent increase on the previous year.7

Primary diagnoses where admission had obesity as a primary or secondary factor alongside included:7

·       maternal care for other known or suspected foetal problems in 31,000 cases

·       knee arthrosis (29,200 cases)

·       gall stones (18,600 cases)

·       hip arthrosis (17,400)

·       chronic ischaemic heart disease (17,300 cases)

Over 7,100 people had bariatric surgery (5,545 females and 1,466 males), the highest number since 2012-13. Prescribing for orlistat has, however, been decreasing from 563,000 items in 2013 down to 355,000 in 2019 (incurring a net ingredient cost of £10.4 million).7