UK Doctors Told To Report Patients Who Put On Weight

UK doctors have been instructed to report people, especially patients
who do not maintain their shapes. Simon Stevens, the head of the NHS,
said it was time for Britain to "get back in shape" in order to
protect millions of people from a host of obesity-related diseases.
MSN Newshas more:

Under the scheme, family doctors will be asked to identify anyone who
has gained weight and is at risk of diabetes - particularly those aged
below 40.

They will then be offered tests for pre-diabetes, followed by healthy
lifestyle advice and close monitoring to ensure they are eating better
and exercising more.

It comes as new figures show Britain is now the second fattest nation
in Europe, with almost 25 per cent of Britons classified as obese -
compared with a European average of 16.7 per cent.

Mr Stevens, the chief executive of the health service, said obesity
was a problem that could be tackled - provided schools, parents, the
NHS and the food industry all 'got their act together' and worked in
unison.

In a direct attack on last week's EU ruling - which said fatness could
constitute a disability - Mr Stevens said such fatalistic attitudes to
the issue were "daft".

Instead, he urged millions of people to put Christmas indulgences
behind them, and take action to shed the pounds.