Most the people are aware of the risks due to overweight and especially to obesity, but few acknowledge that this is considered to be the number one enemy of public health and even fewer recognize that this condition costs the NHS over £500 million a year.
This seriously growing modern social epidemic affects women and children the most. In England, it is estimated that throughout this last decade, obesity among women has increased in 6%. Nevertheless, the line separating the two genders, concerning obesity prevalence, is disappearing. Men, regardless of having always shown an inferior percentage, now see it increase sharply from 14% in 1994, up to 23.5% in 2003 – only 0.5% lower than the one accounted for the opposite sex in the same year. Studies from 2003 also confirm an almost constant increase in this problem among children aged 2 to 10, since 1995 till 2002. Only then, in 2002, can be noticed a slight drop in obesity of 2% (nearly approaching the 2001 level of 13%).
Despite the existing biological reasons, like genetics and illness, it is known that the foremost causes are environmental, such as having a careless lifestyle usually lacking in a balanced diet and in regular physical exercise.
A recent study involving secondary school pupils in England evidences that over 60% of lunch choices consist of: chips and potatoes cooked in oil, high fat main dishes, soft drinks, cakes and muffins. In contrast, healthier aliments such as fruit, fruit juice, vegetables, salads and milk stand for only 8%. The English government thinks that the effective answer to this current crisis lays in an educational approach in which parental and school guidance have a leading role in fighting as well in preventing childhood overweight and obesity. Of course fast-food advertisements targeting, particularly, a young audience are frequently judged for the companies’ abusing methods that often pass down the wrong message. On this matter, Michael Pollen, an American awarded author of several books connected to overweight and obesity, states: ‘The cheapest calories make you the fattest. (…) The correlation between poverty and obesity can be traced to agricultural policies and subsidies.’
The prime treatment for obesity is supported by eating fewer calories and exercising more to reduce body fat. In spite of this fact, in England, drug consumption seems to be a more appealing method for weight management since it roughly doubled between the years 2001 and 2002 reaching around 800, 000 prescriptions. By comparison, figures from 2004 reveal that between nearly 40% and 50% of the male adolescents and young male adults (aged 16-34) met the physical activity recommendations while women, despite accounting a poorer percentage of 30%, their trend is more constant than the men’s.
The World Health Organization predicts that by 2015 approximately 2.3 billions of the world population will be overweight and 0.7 billion will be obese. Hence, if you want to fight this disturbing forecast, in addition to consulting your family doctor or a nutritionist, you can always make an effort to sustain a correct diet and manage an appropriate physical exercise program.
Need a hand?
This seriously growing modern social epidemic affects women and children the most. In England, it is estimated that throughout this last decade, obesity among women has increased in 6%. Nevertheless, the line separating the two genders, concerning obesity prevalence, is disappearing. Men, regardless of having always shown an inferior percentage, now see it increase sharply from 14% in 1994, up to 23.5% in 2003 – only 0.5% lower than the one accounted for the opposite sex in the same year. Studies from 2003 also confirm an almost constant increase in this problem among children aged 2 to 10, since 1995 till 2002. Only then, in 2002, can be noticed a slight drop in obesity of 2% (nearly approaching the 2001 level of 13%).
Despite the existing biological reasons, like genetics and illness, it is known that the foremost causes are environmental, such as having a careless lifestyle usually lacking in a balanced diet and in regular physical exercise.
A recent study involving secondary school pupils in England evidences that over 60% of lunch choices consist of: chips and potatoes cooked in oil, high fat main dishes, soft drinks, cakes and muffins. In contrast, healthier aliments such as fruit, fruit juice, vegetables, salads and milk stand for only 8%. The English government thinks that the effective answer to this current crisis lays in an educational approach in which parental and school guidance have a leading role in fighting as well in preventing childhood overweight and obesity. Of course fast-food advertisements targeting, particularly, a young audience are frequently judged for the companies’ abusing methods that often pass down the wrong message. On this matter, Michael Pollen, an American awarded author of several books connected to overweight and obesity, states: ‘The cheapest calories make you the fattest. (…) The correlation between poverty and obesity can be traced to agricultural policies and subsidies.’
The prime treatment for obesity is supported by eating fewer calories and exercising more to reduce body fat. In spite of this fact, in England, drug consumption seems to be a more appealing method for weight management since it roughly doubled between the years 2001 and 2002 reaching around 800, 000 prescriptions. By comparison, figures from 2004 reveal that between nearly 40% and 50% of the male adolescents and young male adults (aged 16-34) met the physical activity recommendations while women, despite accounting a poorer percentage of 30%, their trend is more constant than the men’s.
The World Health Organization predicts that by 2015 approximately 2.3 billions of the world population will be overweight and 0.7 billion will be obese. Hence, if you want to fight this disturbing forecast, in addition to consulting your family doctor or a nutritionist, you can always make an effort to sustain a correct diet and manage an appropriate physical exercise program.
Need a hand?
Step one: calculate your BMI and find out what you and your family have to do in order to obtain a fit weight. Check for further details on the NOF website (www.nationalobesityforum.org.uk).
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