Obesity “threatens the future of the NHS”.

According to an article I have found on BBC news (and i’m sure many other news agencies have picked up on it) is about obesity and its strain on the NHS. That’s right, fat people are causing the NHS to struggle with more and more people being diagnosed with diabeties and heart problems. Or so you would think that is what the article is about. It is actually about the amount of money that obesity related disorders takes up from the NHS budget and how it drains funding.

Sir Derek said current predictions of obesity rates – a third of men and 28% of women are likely to be classed as obese by 2010 – were worse than even the worst projections his report made in 2002.

Well, that is all very well and good. I understand the risks of being overweight and obese. Your heath does risk facing future problems such as diabeties, heart disease and strokes but how is obesity to blame for the NSH spirally costs? Don’t get me wrong I use the NHS and am very happy doing so. But what about alcohol related diseases or smoking related diseases? You see the government bringing in a smoking ban – what about a fast food ban that forces places that serve children and adults alike the salty, fatty foods that don’t actually fill anyone up and make you crave more? What about a ban on sugar or sugar restrictions per product? Of course there is far too much money to lose by restricting the sale of fast food or banning it all-together but if it saves lives and frees up so many NHS resources, why not?