A Manchester health boss has revealed the city's surgeons are 'really skilled in amputations' because of the number of people suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Kathy Cowell, chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, came up with the grim comment during a discussion about soaring obesity rates in Manchester. This comes as the director of public health stated ‘obesity is a bigger epidemic than smoking in the city’.
David Regan told Manchester City Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board how unhealthy weight is a serious public health problem that increases disability, disease and death and has substantial long term economic, wellbeing and social costs.
The meeting at Manchester Town Hall’s Extension heard how the council’s Healthy Weight Declaration plans to tackle the rise of unhealthy weights, particularly in children. Poor diet and an unhealthy weight are risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes are all factors that contribute powerfully to poor health and premature death, the board was told on November 2.
This led to board member Kathy Cowell saying: “I know this is really a really hard ask but I think we have to hold in our heads the consequences of not doing anything on this around poor eyesight and insulin. We’ve now got a whole team at Manchester [hospitals trust] that are really skilled in amputating limbs because people have had diabetes and circulatory problems.
“I think if we hold in our heads the end game, this is kids having a future and a healthy future. I think that should keep us focused on not giving up.”
One quarter of reception children in the city are obese and this stat increases to 46 per cent by the time they reach Year 6, the board was told. This is down to what the council believes is a poor diet early on in life - which ‘can carry adverse health consequences in later life’.
Advertising for fast food chains, greater availability of food and drinks high in fat and sugar and more sedentary lifestyles are all factors for this ‘serious public health problem’, a report explained. This is why the board wants to improve education, information and the increased availability of healthy alternatives to help individuals to make healthy, informed food and drink choices.
The declaration, approved by the board, stated: “Manchester Health and Wellbeing Board make the commitment to deliver the Manchester Healthy Weight Strategy, adopting the ‘Our Manchester’ strengths-based approach to reducing health inequality and maximising the potential of our communities. We endeavour to reverse the national trend of unhealthy weight and obesity for children and adults in Manchester, utilising a multi-agency whole systems approach across four themes – Food & Culture, Physical Activity, Growth & Neighbourhoods and Prevention & Support.”
They plan on doing this by reducing food poverty and ensuring low-cost food provision in areas that really need it, the Town Hall Extension heard. The board also explained they want to improve understanding and knowledge of people’s relationship with food and why they may overeat or lack activity.
Additionally to their declaration, Manchester City Council endeavours to: “Reducing food poverty, challenging our consumer culture, understanding the social and emotional links to food and supporting change in behaviour. Increasing opportunities for physical activity in all daily lives, reducing sedentary behaviour.
“Ensuring that the built and natural environment is developed to promote and enable physical activity and healthy food choices. Commissioning services and developing partnerships that enable identification and early intervention for vulnerable children and adults.”
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