Budget 2017: Extra $3.5 million to build two new obesity clinics

THE waistlines of NSW residents and the burden of obesity on the state budget will both be trimmed. The Health Minister will announce an extra $3.5 million to establish two new obesity clinics.

Nearly two-thirds of all Australians are overweight and one in three are obese.

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THE waistlines of NSW residents and the burden of obesity on the state budget will both be trimmed.

In Tuesday’s Budget, Health Minister Brad Hazzard will announce an extra $3.5 million to ­establish two new obesity clinics in Western Sydney and the Murrumbidgee Health districts as well as ­expanding current clinics in Concord, Campbelltown and Nepean.

Nearly two-thirds of all Australians are overweight and one in three are obese. Obesity represents a significant health cost to the state due to the associated disorders, ­including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and renal disease.

Nearly two-thirds of all Australians are overweight and one in three are obese.

Those eligible to attend the clinics must have a body mass index over 35 — a healthy BMI is between about 19 and 25 — as well as type 2 diabetes and two to three other weight related conditions.

Dr Kathryn Williams, Adult Clinical Lead for the Family Obesity Services at Nepean said it aims to help obese adults, pregnant mothers, their children, extended families and partners tackle their weight in a supportive environment.

One in three expectant mothers in the ­Nepean Health District are obese.

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“If you just do bariatric surgery, they will not lose weight … they can still drink Coke, eat small Mars bars repeatedly. A lot of obese people are actually malnourished because they have not been eating the right foods.

“For surgery to work, you have to exercise every day and diet,” Dr Williams said.

She said those losing weight need ongoing support.

“Many people have up to 20 different health issues and when admitted can spend a long time in hospital because so much goes wrong. Obesity is a very serious illness,” Dr Williams said.

Research shows children born to obese parents have a tenfold chance of being obese themselves because metabolic changes in obese adults affect genes in sperm and ova.

George Moussa, 28, had an endoscopic sleeve. He weighed 140kg and has now lost 40kg. Picture: Dylan Robinson

For George Moussa, the heart attack death of an obese 30-year-old cousin last year was the reason he decided opt for medical intervention. At just 28 years of age, the Condell Park father of two was obese and feared he might not see his girls grow up.

“My wife’s cousin had a four-year-old son who is now left without a father and I thought no way are my girls going to pay for my stupidity,” he said.

At 140kg, Mr Moussa was prepared to have 80 per cent of his stomach surgically removed in a procedure called a sleeve gastrectomy, but at the last minute, he opted for a new, less invasive technique call an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, which mimics the sleeve but with stitches to reduce the stomach’s capacity.

That was six months ago and he has now lost 40kg. The procedure cost Mr Moussa $7000.

“Everything has changed, I was pre-diabetic, I had high blood pressure, my cholesterol was high and I felt like I was having a heart attack towards the end. Now I have more energy, I now do weight training and now I can play with my daughter’s” Mr Moussa said.

Dr Adrian Sartoretto from Gastric Balloon Australia, said less invasive techniques like the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty he performed on Mr Moussa was a game changer for obese people.

“Those that are eligible for weight loss surgery, only a fraction will accept surgery due to the perceived costs and risks. But minimally invasive options that are reversible and effective make it more accessible. We aren’t cutting the stomach, we are reducing the capacity of the stomach,” Dr Sartoretto said.