Dr Hilary warns obesity crisis must be addressed 'non-judgementally' in wake of Covid

Good Morning Britain's Dr Hilary Jones has warned the "obesity crisis" the country is facing must be addressed with total honesty but without shaming patients.

He detailed the health problems associated with obesity, which has also been known to increase the impact of COVID-19.

GMB quoted research that says 2/3 of adults in England are overweight or living with obesity.

But Hilary made it clear those with the condition needed support and motivation, rather than being humiliated by the number on the scales.

The issue sparked debate over how to tackle obesity effectively and sensitively (ITV)

"People who are overweight or obese need GP support, but unless you address the issue in the first place and weigh them, you can't give that support," said Hilary.

"The conversation has to take place, it has to be honest, it has to be frank and it has to be non-judgemental.

"Support services need to be there, but when £65million is being spent by social services in terms of bariatric equipment, such reinforced beds, heavy duty wheelchairs, it's something that needs to be solved, because the NHS can't afford it," he concluded.

Dr Hilary said doctors are not doing their duty if they do not address obesity in patients (ITV)

Sarah Le Brocq, Director of Obesity UK, added that obese people are often already dealing with feelings of being a failure and not liking themselves, and constant weighing and monitoring through doctor's appointments would only contribute to that.

"It's not just a case of eat less exercise more, people's bodies are not functioning in the same way, so what we should be doing is supporting people to do things to help them function better in the bodies they are living in," she said.

"We are putting blame on people when it's not something they should be blamed for," said Sarah.

"I don't think people who have obesity need to be reminded that they are a certain weight.

"I am someone that lives with obesity myself, I went through a phase when I weighed myself every day and all that did was reinforce to me the negative feelings of being a failure and not liking myself, we need to support people.

"We don't have support right now for people or weight management services."

* Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am