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| Obesity drug use rises eight-fold | Obesity drug use rises eight-fold |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| More than 1m prescriptions are made for obesity drugs a year - eight times the number dispensed seven years ago. | More than 1m prescriptions are made for obesity drugs a year - eight times the number dispensed seven years ago. |
| The majority of these were for two treatments - sibutramine and orlistat. | The majority of these were for two treatments - sibutramine and orlistat. |
| Sibutramine works by altering chemical messages to the brain which control feelings about food, while orlistat prevents some fat absorption. | Sibutramine works by altering chemical messages to the brain which control feelings about food, while orlistat prevents some fat absorption. |
| Just 127,000 obesity pills were prescribed in England in 1999, but that rose to 1.06m in 2006, according to the NHS Information Centre. | Just 127,000 obesity pills were prescribed in England in 1999, but that rose to 1.06m in 2006, according to the NHS Information Centre. |
| It comes as figures show that obesity is rising. | It comes as figures show that obesity is rising. |
| It is too easy to turn to the prescription pad Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, of the Faculty of Public Health | It is too easy to turn to the prescription pad Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, of the Faculty of Public Health |
| Nearly a quarter of adults are obese - up 50% in the last 10 years, while one in six children aged two to 15 are classed as obese - up from one in 10. | Nearly a quarter of adults are obese - up 50% in the last 10 years, while one in six children aged two to 15 are classed as obese - up from one in 10. |
| The increasing use of obesity drugs is partly driven by the fact that more have come on to the market - orlistat was only licensed in the UK in 1998 and sibutramine in 2001. | The increasing use of obesity drugs is partly driven by the fact that more have come on to the market - orlistat was only licensed in the UK in 1998 and sibutramine in 2001. |
| But Dr Jim Kennedy, prescribing spokesman for the Royal College of GPs, said the condition was also now being taken more seriously. | But Dr Jim Kennedy, prescribing spokesman for the Royal College of GPs, said the condition was also now being taken more seriously. |
| "Government, patients and doctors are all more aware of the risks and therefore more willing to discuss obesity. | "Government, patients and doctors are all more aware of the risks and therefore more willing to discuss obesity. |
| "This means there is more of a willingness to consider treatment options." | "This means there is more of a willingness to consider treatment options." |
| Dr Kennedy said patients would only be prescribed obesity drugs alongside a programme to encourage a healthier lifestyle by altering diet and increasing physical activity. | |
| "Patients would have to demonstrate they are genuinely committed to losing weight and doctors would then only prescribe these drugs if there was a high risk from things such as stroke, diabetes or heart disease." | "Patients would have to demonstrate they are genuinely committed to losing weight and doctors would then only prescribe these drugs if there was a high risk from things such as stroke, diabetes or heart disease." |
| Food consumption | Food consumption |
| He also pointed out that the 1m prescriptions a year should be seen in context as there were 13m GP consultations each week. | He also pointed out that the 1m prescriptions a year should be seen in context as there were 13m GP consultations each week. |
| But Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the Faculty of Public Health, said: "Doctors and other health professionals do not have the time to spend on the in-depth diet and exercise advice that is really needed. | But Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the Faculty of Public Health, said: "Doctors and other health professionals do not have the time to spend on the in-depth diet and exercise advice that is really needed. |
| "So my fear is that these drugs of last resort are actually used quite early on. It is too easy to turn to the prescription pad. | "So my fear is that these drugs of last resort are actually used quite early on. It is too easy to turn to the prescription pad. |
| The NHS Information Centre also revealed the results of its annual health survey. | The NHS Information Centre also revealed the results of its annual health survey. |
| 'Quick fix' | 'Quick fix' |
| More than 21,000 adults and children were quizzed about the food consumption and activity levels. | More than 21,000 adults and children were quizzed about the food consumption and activity levels. |
| It showed that the gradual rise in the numbers eating healthily and doing regular exercise was continuing. | It showed that the gradual rise in the numbers eating healthily and doing regular exercise was continuing. |
| But despite the increases less than a third of adults and one in five children eat the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. | But despite the increases less than a third of adults and one in five children eat the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. |
| And just 40% of men and 28% of women were taking part in 30 minutes of physical activity each week. | And just 40% of men and 28% of women were taking part in 30 minutes of physical activity each week. |
| And the survey concluded from the lifestyle habits and the height, weight and waist circumference measurements taken that over one in five people were at risk of cardiovascular disease. | And the survey concluded from the lifestyle habits and the height, weight and waist circumference measurements taken that over one in five people were at risk of cardiovascular disease. |
| Professor Maryon-Davis said: "These findings are worrying, especially when you consider that it is people from poorer backgrounds are the ones who are struggling most to adopt the healthier lifestyles." | Professor Maryon-Davis said: "These findings are worrying, especially when you consider that it is people from poorer backgrounds are the ones who are struggling most to adopt the healthier lifestyles." |