In her annual report to the nation, England’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) says obesity should be ranked along with terrorism and climate change as national safety risks, according to a story on telegraph.co.uk.

Adding the problem is is on the way to becoming so deadly, Professor Dame Sally Davies said it is possible the outbreak of obesity will overwhelm the NHS and severely damage the nation’s productivity.

The latest available numbers show that 51 percent of women between the ages of 25 and 34 are overweight or obese, a number that will rise to 63 percent when they reach the ages of 45 to 54.

Dame Sally said that obesity has to be a national priority and called for action across all of society to prevent obesity and complications associated with it from shortening the lives of women and affecting their quality of life.

The nation’s first female CMO called out women in particular, urging them to protect themselves and their families from obesity.  Figures show that almost half of all women of childbearing age are overweight or obese, and the condition can increase the risk of miscarriage.  Children born to obese mothers also have a greater risk of heart disease and of becoming obese themselves.

Saying women had a role in the protection of future generations, Dame Sally called for women to seek help to establish a healthier lifestyle and eating habits as soon as they began to think about getting pregnant.

Admitting it was a difficult message to convey, the CMO said she believed it could empower women to take positive steps and added it was never too late to take action for a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your family.

Dame Sally also addressed the issue of women being embarrassed to seek health care about problems particular to women.  She said we need to change the taboos around menopause and incontinence and eliminate the embarrassment barrier to the health of many women.

Dr David Richmond, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists added lifestyle factors like maternal obesity and poor diet and nutrition are some of the issues that can dramatically impact a woman’s fertility and the health of both the mother and the baby.