Watford, United Kingdom (PressExposure) March 04, 2010 -- Howard's Way, the very low calorie diet (VLCD) provider, which opened its fourth Weight Loss Centre recently and now helps some 400 obese people a year lose at least three stones in weight each, is redoubling its efforts to help relieve the pressure on the NHS from rising levels of obesity.
According to the online life insurance comparison website Quoteboffin.co.uk, rising levels of obesity could see a substantial rise in the number of people applying for health insurance. Commenting on the increasingly significant issue of 'Obese Britain', the website said that, with 20% of the UK's population now classed as clinically obese and more people dying from weight related diseases than ever before, the UK's obesity crisis is adding a heavyweight strain to the NHS.
"At £2.6bn a year, the cost of obesity-related NHS bills is asking tax payers to dig ever deeper into their pockets in order to cover the cost," agreed Penelope Howard, an expert in the field of obesity and head of Howard's Way. "The effect that obesity is having on NHS resources and, in particular, on waiting times - which have begun to rocket as obesity-related illnesses add even more patients to already crowded lists - is increasingly concerning."
While QuoteBoffin.co.uk argues that the fear of long waiting lists will be the main driver to more consumers turning to private health cover in order to guarantee prompt and professional medical treatment, Penelope Howard's organisation is doing something practical to stem the rising tide of obesity among adults in the UK.
It recently invested in its fourth Weight Loss Centre, which is capable of helping a further 65 patients a year lose several stones in weight through the 'total food replacement' (TFR) treatment of the Howard's Way VLCD programme.
Moreover, it has expanded its 'distance dieter' operations, enabling adults from all over the UK to benefit from a programme that sees its patients lose at least three stones in weight in an initial 12 week period.
"So far, we have helped around 180 people from all over Britain to stop being obese - and that's in addition to more than 2,000 patients who have successfully followed the Howard's Way diet since the organisation began in 1997," Penelope said.
"Obesity in the UK is projected to grow by some 10% every decade for the foreseeable future," she added. "One approach is to say that this trend is inevitable and so we should merely seek to mitigate the consequences of obesity but our approach is to help obese people take action to counteract their obesity - and live healthier, happier and more active lives.
According to Penelope, the Howard's Way VLCD: ⢠helps patients lose all the weight they want to lose ⢠keeps them fit and healthy while they do so ⢠re-educates them on the properties; values and dangers of foods for their future weight management ⢠offers free support and guidance for life
"This means that we are making a dent in the nation's obesity figures; we're a viable alternative to bariatric surgery, and we save the NHS money by reducing the demand for obesity-related medication or surgery," she stated.
"our aim is to teach our patients about nutritional values of food; how to see past misleading advertising on food; how their bodies use different foods, and which foods - such as white sugar - are likely to have an addictive quality about them," Penelope added. "Secondly, we want to keep them nutritionally supported and healthy while they shed their excess weight at the rate of 14 to 21 pounds every four weeks while they are on the programme."
Further information from: Penelope Howard: + 44 (0)1923 773851 / penny@croxley.demon.co.uk Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR: +44 (0)1727 860405 / bob.little@boblittlepr.com