Britain is the most obese nation in Europe, with more than 35 million people classed as either overweight or obese according to official figures - roughly half the population. A recent NHS report found that nearly two thirds of adults in England were at risk of developing chronic health problems as a result.
Statistics from 2020 show that 67 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women were classed as either overweight or obese. And 20 per cent of Year 6 schoolchildren were said to be obese.
Government figures show that it's a problem that is projected to cost the NHS £9.7 billion by 2020. Type 2 diabetes, which is linked with being overweight, is already costing the health service £1.5 million per hour, reports LeicestershireLive.
Yet, alongside dieting and exercise, weight loss treatments are perhaps more easily available than most people might think. Pharmacies, alongside the NHS, can now prescribe a weight loss injection, meaning those wanting to make a change can access treatment on the high street.
The jab is called Saxenda and it works by mimicking a hormone called GLP1, which is released after eating a filling meal. That means the jab suppresses the appetite, which should mean those taking it are inclined to eat less.
Saxenda is injected once a day under the skin, via the abdomen, the front of the thighs or the upper arm. It gets to work almost immediately and effects should be apparent within two weeks.
When combined with a low fat food plan and moderate levels of activity, users of Saxenda should expect to lose five per cent of their body weight over three months. However, it is important to stress that Saxenda is a weight-loss aid and not a cure that works without major dietary and lifestyle changes.
To get access to the weight-loss jab at the likes of Well, Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy, potential users have to meet certain criteria that changes depending on the individual. In most cases that means being 30 or above on the Body Mass Index scale and having tried other methods of losing weight before being accepted for Saxenda.
People can apply for an quick online consultation here, where they will be asked questions just like a traditional appointment with a GP. The questionnaire asks about medical history and symptoms. The answers help experts assess suitability for treatment.
Those who are accepted will then be able to pick up jabs in store or have them delivered for free. Saxenda comes in a 3ml pre-filled injection pen, with a single pen lasting 17 days and a pack of three covering 4.5 weeks. A pack of three pens costs £150, while a pack of five is priced at £240.
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