Obesity drug prescriptions rise eightfold since 1999

Prescriptions for obesity drugs in 2006 were more than eight times the number prescribed in 1999, statistics have revealed today.

Overall 1.06 million prescription items were dispensed to treat obesity during 2006 compared to 127,000 in 1999.

The majority of these were two drugs: Sibutramine and Orlistat.

Figures also showed a significant rise in the number of adults with raised waist circumference and the number of children who are obese.

The statistics, released by the Information Centre (IC), follow last year’s Foresight report. This warned that if current levels continue about a quarter of children, 60 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women will be obese by 2050.

At these levels obesity is projected to cost society £45.5 billion a year.

Positive findings from the IC’s Health Survey for England include an increased number of adults and children eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.

There has also been an increase in the number of adults who are exercising for the recommended 30 minutes a day.

However people on low incomes are most likely to have cardiovascular disease and low levels of fruit and vegetable consumption or low levels of physical activity.