ALMOST 4,000 people in Dorset were admitted to hospital with obesity in a year.

Shocking figures show that obesity was either the primary or secondary diagnosis for more than 1,500 men and more than 2,400 women in 2014/15.

And 47 of those people underwent bariatric (weight loss) surgery.

Across England, the number of people admitted with a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity has gone from 40,741 in 2004/5 to 440,288 in 2014/15. That’s an increase of 980 per cent.

More than 62 per cent of Dorset adults are obese and the figures come as the British Heart Foundation warns one in five of us has not exercised in the last decade.

Although health officials say they are ‘committed’ to helping patients improve their health, West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin said the government can’t tell people what to do and residents are making their own choices.

“These figures confirm that obesity is an enormous and increasing problem; which is why the government is putting so much effort into developing and implementing a national obesity strategy. But ultimately this comes down to the choices made by individuals -- while government can nudge people to make the right choices, it cannot dictate how people lead their lives, and shouldn’t seek to do so.”

Male life expectancy in the UK is 81– in Dorset it is 67.

It is recommended that adults do five 30-minute sessions of moderate intensity exercise every week. But the British Heart Foundation found that long working hours were the most common excuse when it came to why one in five haven’t exercised in the last 10 years.

A spokesman for Dorset County Hospital said: “The figures show admissions to the hospital where excess weight has been, or has possibly been, a factor in a patient’s illness or condition.

“We are committed to supporting our patients to make lifestyle changes which could improve their overall health and help keep them out of hospital, such as quitting smoking. We are working with Public Health Dorset to provide advice about cutting down excess weight."

REGULAR EXERCISE CAN BE THE KEY TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE

EMMA Cristofoli, 34, from Weymouth, who shed seven stone last year says exercise can fit in to the busiest of schedules.
“It’s a big worry that the figures are so high. People just don’t make time for exercise, but you can fit it in; it might be walking to work or parking that bit further away when you do your supermarket shop,” said Emma, who has launched a Slimming World group in Radipole.

“Walking is free- you just need to do something that gets your heart rate up and gets the blood pumping. Exercise makes you feel better- you sleep better, you lost weight, your posture is better, it improves your strength and helps protect you from diseases like heart disease.”

Forty per cent of people in the South West said it was over a year since they had been physically active enough to meet national health guidelines.

Lisa Young, physical activity specialist at the British Heart Foundation said: “Physical activity is essential for your heart health and should not be ignored. Keeping fit can reduce your risk of heart disease, as well as help you control your weight, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, and improve your mental health. "

“Just making small changes to your routine can have a big impact. Walk more, get together with friends to do an activity, find something you enjoy and set yourself a goal this year to keep you motivated.”

Cardiovascular disease kills around 155,000 people each year - more than a quarter (27 per cent) of all deaths.