"Adapted from BMJ 27 Jan 2024
Dissecting Health by Scarlett McNally
The body positive movement correctly states that weight based discrimination can contribute to poor health and even more weight gain. Even so, obesity causes considerable health and economic damage.
The Tony Blair Institute calculated that obesity costs the UK £98 billion a year including £19.2 billion from related illnesses.
People who have obesity have seven times the likelihood of type two diabetes and the complications such as infection, amputation and kidney failure. Obesity can cause heart disease, cancer and chronic pain.
A person under the age of 50 who is obese, is more than ten times more likely to have complex multi-morbidity than someone of healthy weight. Hip and knee joint replacements are needed earlier, need longer operating times, a 50% greater risk of infections and a higher chance of needing postoperative intensive care.
Several treatments can successfully reverse obesity and type two diabetes including bariatric surgery, low carbohydrate diets, intermittent fasting, ultra-low calorie diets, and now regular injections to suppress the appetite.
Prevention of obesity is different. Obesity is caused by the type and availability of food and a lack of physical activity. Exercise alone doesn’t reverse obesity, but it can help prevent it.
Obesity is a product of our environments. People in the most deprived areas have the fewest food and exercise options and are twice as likely to have obesity (36.8%) as those in the least deprived areas (19.2%).
We need to go back to basics: affordable fruit and vegetables, unprocessed foods, less snacking, smaller portions, and less alcohol.
Many organisations have suggested such interventions such as play parks, limits on junk food advertising, and more PE in schools. We need safe cycle lanes, green spaces, and 20 mph limits in built up areas. Despite swimming being a great all round exercise, many affordable swimming pools have closed.
The obesity epidemic matters more about health than just appearance. Poor health results in unaffordable health needs and reduced tax income from the economically inactive working age group.
We cannot afford the inevitable human and financial costs of inaction."
Unhealthy food is usually far cheaper and more readily available,
perhaps a good start could be with fruit and vegetables?
Do please share your thoughts in the comments
All the best Jan
35 comments:
Actually, the cost of junk foods has been on the rise here for some time. Soda, cookies, candy prices are crazy.
We need to go back to basics: affordable fruit and vegetables, unprocessed foods, less snacking, smaller portions, and less alcohol. If only we could make this happen...but how to convince anyone of the importance ?
Healthy food needs to be more affordable.
Start talking about healthy eating to the younger generation in schools.
Tina
Muy interesante. Te mando un beso.
Good points
...there's no simple solution.
loosing weight isn't easy.
In the US, interest in keto diets surged right after the huge price jump in insulin. Coincidence?
Certainly,
a diet program should start with the younger generation,
as someone above said,
but we older people should also do something for the good of our health.
Obesity usually hides other deficits and people consume unreasonably!
Thanks for the topic Jan,
it's a very big discussion and well done for starting it!!
Years ago when I used to walk to school I don't recall anyone being big, a lot of exercise if good if one can do it and healthy eating which is certainly not done much these days by many people.
Nice read Jan.
It's about creating healthier environments, reducing inequality, and ensuring sustainable healthcare and economic wellbeing for all.
The world we live in has changed so much. When I was a child, we grew our own vegetables, cooked from scratch, life was slower. There was no such thing as drive through fast food outlets, we rarely even ate out. Fizzy pop was a rare treat, now it's part of meal deals. Nowadays everything moves at a much faster pace, we want everything yesterday, and that includes food. There's no sitting down to enjoy a meal, it's eating on the go, grabbing unhealthy snacks rather than eating a meal. Meals have to be quick so there's no time spent on preparing them, they're already made ready to just heat up. It's a way of life these days, for many people.
Such a good article. Thank you for sharing it, Jan.
We're all aware of the problem and how to solve it, but somehow nothing much happens, A new miracle pill is discovered and that's the answer. Is it? It won't make a person suddenly develop healthy eating habits - they start at home, in infancy.
Obesity is a huge problem not only in the UK. In my country too. I have to be very careful not to gain weight. I eat lots of vegetables and do Nordic walking every day because it reduces body fat.
Dear Jan, I wish you a beautiful, sunny week.
Good info. It's too bad that carbs don't have the same benefits as fruits and veggies.
Jan, Losing weight isn't easy. Young people aren't familiar with most edible foods. They only make do with bread, pasta, pizza, and hamburgers. Fruits and vegetables aren't their favorites. This is how they add extra pounds to their bodies.
Hi Jan, a great article. Thank you!!
Carla
A very important and interesting article. Thank you Jan and all the best :)
A great post and important information.
Take care, have a great day and happy week ahead.
Nice article Jan. Hope all is going good for you.
Have you ever seen info on 'parabelly', the condition paraplegics get?
Thanks for sharing, Jan.
It used to be junk food was cheaper than veggies and fruits. Now a few veggies are cheaper, but much fruit is still out of range for families on a very tight budget. Many children now want fast food over home cooked meals. They think home cooked food doesn't taste as good as McDonald's or Burger King.
Thank you Jan.
I am extremely grateful that I have never been obese, but my heart goes out to those who are and that have weight issues. Many of the processed foods, packaged foods and soft drinks are a lot to blame, in my view. I think more education is needed, because I don't think people get obese by choice, many people don't realize what is in the food they eat.
REPLY TO
The Furry Gnome who said...
Have you ever seen info on 'parabelly', the condition paraplegics get?
Hello Mr FG and many thanks for your comment and question.
I had not come across this condition but the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation do have an article regarding this:-
https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/life-after-paralysis/how-to-get-rid-of-the-para-belly
It does seem to have some good tips which hopefully will be helpful.
All the best Jan
Scary really the way things are going. Ban junk food! If only eh!
Sounds like good tips.
Very true words indeed.
You are spot on with the basics here - affordable fruit and veg and if able to be grown at home even better, cutting out processed foods and cutting back on snacks, alcohol and too larger portions. Thank you for sharing all this information, Jan. Obesity has become a real problem and we need to tackle it now.
Wishing you a happy and healthy week.
This is such a clear and honest look at a tough issue. I appreciate how it reminds us that tackling obesity isn’t just about willpower—it’s about reshaping our environments and going back to simple, healthy basics. Definitely a conversation we all need to keep having.
I do know that we need more active especially in our kids, they don't seem to play like they use to outside and get excercise.. I do know that there needs to be more education on the importance of eating right and yes more affordable healthy food.
An excellent article. If only we could solve human behavior!
Interesante reportaje y de acuerdo contigo. Besos.
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