Fat man with a big belly, close-up part of the body
Nearly two thirds of men and half of women in Tayside will be obese by the middle of this century, health chiefs have revealed.
NHS Tayside predicts that by 2050, 60% of men in the area, 50% of women and 25% of children will be at a problem weight.
The picture in Tayside is already bleak, with 66% of adults described as overweight or obese, while 22.5% of primary one schoolchildren are at risk of being overweight or obese.
Health board bosses are preparing to have to treat a rising number of young patients for ailments that were previously associated with old age due to evidence that obesity can lead to premature ageing.
Dr Drew Walker, NHS Tayside director of public health, says that obesity is a major health issue that he and his colleagues are committed to tackling.
Dr Walker said: “To address the issue of obesity, NHS Tayside works with partner agencies to provide a range of initiatives and programmes.
“These include our Community Cook It which explains how to eat healthily on a budget and provides skill sessions to families in Tayside, and the Eat Well, Play Well programme.”
