Disease burden latent in current obese population emerges

Obesity causes damage to the cardiovascular system that remains hidden for most people until they reach older age. Estimates suggest a three quarters increase over the next two decades in the population that could be suffering from the effects of heart disease, diabetes and related illnesses as a result of rising obesity. (NHS Choices 2012) (Wang, McPherson, Marsh, Gortmaker, Brown 2011) There is high certainty here because the unseen damage caused by current obesity to arteries and organs has already occurred, so a need for treatment over the coming 20 years and beyond will inevitably emerge.

This increased need for nursing care is compounded because as treatments improve, more people survive acute attacks associated with these diseases such as heart attack or stroke. The combination of increased disease rates and better survival will greatly increase the demand for nursing.

The challenge will be for supply to match this demand. Policymakers will be aware that without concerted action to tackle obesity, demand for nursing services are likely to increase significantly.

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.