Doctors in Britain are being ordered to report patients who gain too much weight under a new nationwide program to fight obesity.
The new program will require family doctors to identify anyone who has gained weight and is at risk of diabetes, reported Telegraph. The biggest focus will be on weight-gainers under the age of 40.
Simon Stevens, the head of the NHS, said it was time for Britain to "get back in shape," as Britain is the second most over weight country in Europe, reported Telegraph. The number one obese European country is Hungary.
When a patient's weight-gain is reported to the NHS they will be offered tests for pre-diabetes, be issued healthy lifestyle advice and close monitoring to ensure they are eating better and exercising more.
Stevens recognized in an interview with Telegraph that the new program is coming after the holidays - a common time for people to endulge.
"The ghost of Christmases past reminds us that 20 years ago we didn't have these problems as a nation," Stevens said. "The ghost of Christmases future tells us that if we get our act together - as the NHS, as parents, as schools, the food industry - we can get back in shape."
Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, is calling the program a "national New Year's resolution."
Almost 25 percent of Britons are overweight, while the Europe national average is only 16.7 percent, reported Telegraph.
