Concern at predicted rise in obesity deaths

A PREDICTED rise in obesity-related deaths in the Lothians has sparked concern among health experts and politicians.

Figures for 2010 have not been broken down by region yet, but the national trend appears to be upward.

With the Lothians having a record number of overweight children, it is expected a further rise in mortality rates due to obesity will be revealed.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie, who pointed to a Scotland-wide 40 per cent rise in deaths between 2004 and 2009, said: "This is only the tip of the iceberg.

"Obesity is a known risk factor in the development of a range of other chronic and deadly diseases.

"Unless the Scottish Government gets a grip of this epidemic, then all the good work on cutting coronary heart disease, cancer and stroke is at risk."

Dr Dean Marshall, chairman of the British Medical Association's Scottish general practitioners committee, said: "The rise in deaths related to obesity is of grave concern.

"We are in danger of raising a generation of children burdened with long-term chronic health conditions."