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Is it cruel for doctors to tell patients they are fat?
Cancer UK has a hard-hitting advertising campaign featuring cigarette packets branded with the word Obesity in an effort to kickstart awareness of the problem.
Smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable cancer in the UK, but obese people now outnumber those who smoke two to one. The UK faces a terrifying obesity timebomb with 63 percent of the population classed as overweight.
So what impact did the ad have, did it prompt a national vow to start losing weight? unfortunately, it did not instead Cancer Research Uk was accused of fat shaming.
A number of diseases are linked to obesity from type two diabetes, and high blood sugar. This week it was reported that it is responsible for more cases of bowel, kidney, ovarian and liver cancer than smoking. The cost to the NHS of obesity was more than £6 billion in 2015 and will rise to £9.7 billion by 2050.
One doctor has pointed out that there is now a crazy situation where patients complain when doctors point out to them that they would be a lot better off if they lost a few pounds.
It was confirmed this week that the NHS receives hundreds of complaints annually about this. The doctor does not want to abandon fat people, but give them support and compassion to help them understand why they have piled the weight on. And better access to counselling for people who suffer emotional issues.
Cancer Research has been accused of fat shaming over its advertising campaign.
Contact Gi Grimsby
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