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Super sizing the obesity issue
In the UK it is estimated that one in five men and a quarter of women are obese, and that as many as 30,000 people die prematurely every year from obesity related conditions. A study by the National Audit Office has estimated that obesity costs the NHS at least 500m a year and the wider economy more than £2bn a year in lost productivity.
This is all money that should be being spent on our schools, hospitals, transport infrastructure, and affordable housing – our societal superstructure is lacking funds in every area. Society is, paradoxically, harming itself and the ramifications of this apathetic mode of thought for the next generation are truly horrifying.
Experts predict that if the current rate of growth continues, three-quarters of the population could suffer the effects of obesity within 10 – 15 years. The time bomb is ticking, but sadly it would seem, not loudly enough.
Preventing obesity
We need to ask ourselves why this is happening – it is not simply a case of people eating too much, rather what they eat and how much or how little they exercise.
Socio-economic conditions largely determine someone’s chances of becoming obese – combine a poor education with economic deprivation and too often the result is a family raised on a diet of burgers and fries. For what a cash strapped family of four spend in McDonalds, ingredients for a freshly prepared meal, portions of which could be frozen and served at further meal times, could be purchased instead.Unfortunately however, the groups that are most at risk are not being educated on how to eat healthily on a budget.And when life is stressful, convenience food does exactly what it says on the tin….
Experts have been waxing lyrical for years about the high fat and sugar levels in many convenience and massproduced foods.And it goes without saying that the now very popular ‘super-sized’ portions are doing very little to help the matter.
A significant factor in the rise of obesity levels is simply that modern life is more sedentary than ever before. Certainly when I was growing up,we were out all day, running around the park, playing sport.Nowadays children are more likely to spend their weekends in front of the computer or the TV.
There are various reasons for this.As a society we have become much more introverted; parents are understandably cautious of allowing their children play outside unsupervised.And in a world where most parents have to work, finding the time to become more ‘outdoors’ oriented as a family can be difficult. Perhaps parents need to be re-educated into realising that a family day out walking does not have to cost anything and after a hard week at work, it can also be very relaxing.
Research published three years ago by the Royal Bank of Scotland and Natwest found that nearly 50% of children spent more than three hours a day watching television or playing computer games.More than a third never played outside, the survey found.
In some areas of the country there are nowhere near enough decent recreational facilities, and those that do exist are rarely in financial reach of those that need them most. Recreation unites; it crosses social and cultural barriers and offers young people a purpose, goals to which they can aspire. Improved recreational facilities also play a key role in regeneration, as the catalyst for improvements to local environments – just look at what the Olympics will do for the capital’s infrastructure – and so the cycle positively continues, or at least that’s the theory...
There are a number of industry-funded initiatives designed to tackle some of the issues already discussed here. Sprayway for example, in support for Clubs for Young People, took a group of young women and mothers to Glenborrodale at the beginning of the year. This enabled young people who because of their circumstances would not normally have access to actionpacked adventure, to experience it first hand. SGB UK would appeal to the brands within the sports community to do more to widen access to sport through similar initiatives.
The government has been widely criticised for failing to implement “joined up thinking” in tackling obesity. There has been too much focus on cars in its transport policy, rather than advocating the healthier options of walking and cycling.Not only that, but transport is expensive – unfortunately it’s often cheaper to drive the family around than it is to purchase bus and train tickets. Also, as a nation we are increasingly time pressured – give us a transport system that is fairly priced and that runs on time, and perhaps the number of cars on the road will decrease, along with obesity levels.
Another issue is vending machines. Parents have called for those selling crisps and chocolate to be taken out of schools – and thankfully these calls have been largely answered.
The government has also been urged to do more to persuade the food industry to promote healthy foods to consumers. Even McDonalds has added salads to the menu for its Big Mac faithful customers in the wake of the obesity crises and the hysteria surrounding the ‘Supersize Me’ experiment.
A combination of a healthy, balanced diet, and regular exercise should prevent anyone from becoming obese. Experts recommend vigorous exercise such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling five times a week for 20-30 minutes.
For those who have been unable to avoid the spectre of obesity,weight management clinics are available to provide expert help and advice.
In severe cases doctors may prescribe drug therapies, which have been shown to have some positive impact.
Back in 2004 doctors called for tax relief to be offered on sports activities to help combat growing rates of obesity. The Royal College of GPs said exercise needed to be made affordable and accessible to everyone in the UK.
"Most people can't afford sports such as tennis at the moment, not when they cost as much as £5 a game.
"One idea might be to offer tax relief on exercise - after all, obese people are more likely to use more NHS resources than fit and healthy people."
The RCGP is also keen to see healthier foods available in schools to help tackle weight problems among young children. But as a celebrity obsessed nation, it took the personality of Jamie Oliver to make it happen.
More sport for everyone - the government answers back
The Department for Culture,Media and Sport is committed to achieving a 3% increase in the number of people from priority groups who participate in sport by 2008.
The Promoting Sport Toolkit is a collection of simple-to-use tools to help sports clubs and other sports organisations promote sport and active recreation to the public.
The department’s community sport programmes increase the quantity and quality of sporting opportunities across the country.With the National Lottery distributing bodies it has committed over £1 billion to the development of sports facilities and is supporting the new Wembley Stadium project.
Through Sport England, it also supports initiatives to increase participation from those who have previously been under-represented in sport.
The government states:
“It is vital we encourage more children to take part in sport if we are to challenge the year-on-year increase in child obesity.With the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF),we are committed to achieving:
- By 2008, 85% of all 5-16 year-olds spend at least two hours per week on high quality PE and school sport
- By 2010, offer all children at least four hours of sport every week
Whether or not this is having any real effect on rising obesity levels remains to be seen. It’s a long-term process and the result won’t come over night.What is certain however, is that we need to continue the debate to keep the next generation on its toes and in good health!
