Weight loss camp plea by bullied girl

A Shropshire teenager who endured years of bullying at school because of her weight has appealed for help to fund a £3,500 placement at a specialist weight loss camp.

Betsy Moore, 16, from Ludlow, has struggled with her weight since she was 11. She said: "I have been bullied at school for the last seven years. Every time I go to the doctors, they just say I have gained weight.

"I eat the same as the rest of my family and exercise regularly. I'm 16-and-a-half stone and I should be eight-and-a-half."

She said she had tried various healthy eating programmes but her weight just seemed to increase.

Betsy applied for funding for a placement at the Wellspring weight loss camp in the Lake District through her GP surgery at Station Drive, in Ludlow, but was refused.

Her mother, Wendy Moore, said: "I'm staggered that with all the national focus on obesity, surgeries are not more pro-active with teenagers before the problem escalates into adulthood.

"I told the surgery that funding now when Betsy is ready to change will save the NHS thousands in the long term."

Dr David Partridge, a GP at the Station Drive Surgery, said they could not comment on individual cases, but added:

"In terms of weight loss, it is a significant issue. It is one of the major health problems that all of us are facing and a major cost to the NHS so it is something that we take very seriously. Every patient is individual and needs to be treated individually."

He explained that the surgery had been one of five practices in Shropshire involved in a pilot scheme called the "help 2 slim" weight loss programme.

The scheme is now due to be rolled out across the county. He added: "We have had encouraging results."

Mrs Moore said her and her daughter had attended the gym together and while she had lost weight, Betsy had struggled.

She added: "She represented the county in hockey last year and plays netball. She is not lazy. In 2004, the doctor said she was going through puberty and it would sort itself out. On that basis, we waited, but in 2007 she was excessively overweight. She is now obese.

"She's had blood tests to check for metabolism and thyroid problems, they came back fine."

She added: "They recently suggested Betsy access counselling as this would strengthen her case, but she doesn't need it, she has the resolve, it's just jumping through hoops."

Anyone interested in sponsoring her can contact (01584) 878224.