New Government figures have revealed the huge annual cost of treating illnesses that can be linked to a lack of exercise. Treatments for coronary heart disease, stroke, type two diabetes, colon cancer and breast cancer are costing taxpayers in Derbyshire £15.4m. Kate Liptrot spoke to patients and health experts about the issue.

SINCE beginning a fight against the potentially killer disease diabetes, Jon Turner has been enjoying life more than ever.

Several stone overweight, it was the wake-up call he needed to get him to change his diet and exercise every day.

He had always enjoyed cycling and walking but, after being diagnosed two years ago, realised he needed to do both more regularly.

Now three stone lighter, he said he has far more energy and has advised others who are struggling with their weight to take action before it is too late.

The 73-year-old, who lives with his wife in Allestree, said: "I'd asked for trouble. Being overweight made me a little bit lazier.

"Now my general feeling of well-being has improved. I've got far more get up and go. I'm enjoying life, it's been a release."

But Jon's former lifestyle has had a long-term impact that means, despite exercising, he still needs a lot of medical attention.

His treatment includes nine tablets a day, regular visits to a chiropodist (diabetes can affect the circulation to the feet) and annual check-ups – all paid for by the NHS.

The costs of his treatment are among the £15.4m bill to the NHS in Derbyshire for treating a range of diseases – including diabetes – which can develop due to a lack of exercise.

The others are heart disease, stroke, colon cancer and breast cancer.

Jon has urged people who are failing to do the recommended amount of exercise to take action before it is too late.

He said: "Moderate exercise at all times is essential, as is being very vigilant about getting into bad eating and drinking habits."

People who fail to do enough exercise have a 33% to 50% higher risk of developing diabetes, according to official Government statistics.

But the condition can also develop as people get older, following a heart attack or stroke, as a result of high blood pressure, or because it runs in the family.

It is more common among men and people of African-Caribbean, Asian, or Hispanic origin.

Jon's wife, Heather, who is a retired practice nurse and smoking-cessation adviser, was diagnosed with diabetes in May 2007, despite always having exercised and eaten healthily.

The 63-year-old said: "It was a complete shock.

"I was not overweight, had a good lifestyle and a non-existent family history.

"I've since learned it can be brought on by a viral infection and I believe that's what happened to me."

The cost of a lack of exercise was revealed in the Government report Be Active, Be Healthy, which encouraged local NHS bosses to get people in their area moving.

According to the report, 60% of men and 72% of women don't do at least five 30-minute sessions of exercise a week, which is the recommended amount to stay healthy.

Women of South Asian origin do the least physical activity, with just 11% of Bangladeshi and 14% of Pakistani women living in Britain doing enough.

And there are low levels of exercise among older people – only 17% of men and 13% of women between the ages of 65 and 74 meet the chief medical officer's target amount.

There is also a link between how rich people are and how much they exercise, with those in the lowest-income families far more likely to do less.

The report stated: "Inactivity also leads to costs to the wider economy from sickness, absence and premature death of productive individuals, costs to the individuals themselves, and the costs of lost productivity of their carers.

"Turning this on its head, the economic benefits of physical activity can even extend to other sectors of the economy such as our industrial competitiveness, transport and the environment."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "The estimate is based on cost of not doing exercise only and not the total cost of treating these illnesses, which would be much higher.

"These costs are intended as a starting point in understanding the cost of physical inactivity."

To tackle the problem, NHS Derby City and Derby City Council have been working to get people fit through the Be Active campaign.

Activities organised as part of the campaign range from work in Normanton and Pear Tree to encourage Asian women to exercise, to free swimming for children and the over-60s, due to start this week.

Data collected in 2006 showed that about 80% of people in the city failed to do enough exercise and an updated set of results is due to be collected in the next financial year.

This will show whether or not the campaign has managed to help people in the city get fitter.

Jon Topham, of NHS Derby City, said: "Nationally, people have become more active since the 1990s. But it's by no means good enough in terms of improving health."

News of the findings of the survey follows new Derby has one of the highest rates of obesity surgery in the country.

Consultant Paul Leeder said last week that 300 obese people are expected to have gastric bands fitted this year to help them lose weight.