Worrying rise in weight loss surgery for women

Women are at the centre of an obesity epidemic as new figures reveal the extent of weight loss surgery in Scotland.

The number of women undergoing surgery such as gastric bands, bypasses and balloons is three times that of men, with around two procedures performed on obese women every week last year.

According to figures released by six Scottish health boards, in 2015-16 at least 94 women were operated on, compared to just 35 men.

Experts now fear obesity is disproportionately affecting women and could lead to higher rates of womb and breast cancer.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Health Survey showed the average dress size for women in Scotland in 2015 was 18, meaning women have grown a dress size over the course of 10 years.

Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, said: “It is hugely concerning such a large number of women are getting to this point.

“The most concerning thing is that men and women who are obese are getting fatter. There are not necessarily more people who are overweight, but the progression from slightly obese to very obese, to morbidly obese, is quickening.

“We have more really fat people than a decade ago, and the simple explanation is that the Scottish Government, and other
governments, have done precious little over the last 25 years to stop this.”

Operations are available to people whose weight is affecting their health and encouraged where the patient has type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea.

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Surgical intervention is one of a range of treatment options for obese patients.

“The age range for surgery is 18-60 with a BMI of more than 35 and one or more severe comorbidities, principally type 2 diabetes.”

Earlier this year, a joint statement by obesity experts called for at least 10,000 patients to be offered weight loss surgery because of a rise in the number of people with type 2 diabetes.

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said: “Obesity is an ongoing issue for Scotland, as it is for most western countries, and levels of obesity are too high.

“While there is no simple solution, we have to maintain a wide range of activity to make it easier for people, including children and their families, to be more active, to eat less and to eat better.

“As part of the Programme for Government, the First Minister announced our intention to consult on the development of our Diet and Obesity Strategy in 2017.”

Slimming pill firm ruthlessly targets teenagers