More weight loss operations for diabetes

[Northerner]

An expansion of weight loss surgery in England is being proposed to tackle an epidemic of type 2 diabetes.

New draft guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) aim to reduce debilitating complications, which are a huge drain on NHS resources.

Diabetes UK estimates 850,000 people could be eligible for surgery, but NICE expects it to be tens of thousands.

Type 2 diabetes is closely linked to lifestyle and obesity.

The inability to control blood sugar levels can result in blindness, amputations and nerve damage.

A mounting body of evidence suggests a gastric bypass improves symptoms in around 60% of patients.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28246641

 

[StephenM]

Whilst this may help a few people this is not the long term answer to the ever increasing obesity epidemic. The government need to take a step back and work with the governments of other countries such as America, Russia, EU members, India, China, etc. The reasons why people feel a need to eat so much more carbs and fats as a country industrialises (i.e. adopts a western lifestyle) need to be understood on a global basis. People know it is bad for them yet continue to eat – it is a form of mental illness!

P.S. I have no intention of taking an active part in this forum but having watched the BBC news with various experts spouting off felt a need to comment!