Doc Alan
4th January 2013, 21:13
Several members have started / intend to lose weight in this New Year. It’s a personal decision which I encourage – but as in other health issues, I don’t make judgements or try to tell members what lifestyle choices to make. Further, it’s claimed that up to half of those employed by the UK health service are overweight – not a good example to set !
There is a particular problem with obesity in the USA and UK. Ironically until fairly recently malnourishment was a greater concern in the world – the Philippines now has a “ bipolar problem “ of malnourishment AND obesity ( the latter predominating ) in children and adults.
Most people know being overweight raises the risks of heart disease, strokes, diabetes, some cancers and other illnesses – and the health-care bill ( perhaps a fifth of the USA total ). But – unlike smoking – fatty and sugary foods, and alcohol, are not uniformly unhealthy, in moderation.
Most people also – if they’re honest ( many are in denial ) – know when they’re overweight. Accurate “ bathroom scales “ confirm – or otherwise. “ BMI “ ( body mass index = weight in kilograms / height in metres squared – “ ideal “ 19 – 25 ) is over-rated and not a good measure for all body types. Serum cholesterol should be less than 5 … but a decision to treat with diet and / or statins is a clinical one. Blood / urine sugar to rule out diabetes is easily done at the doctor’s surgery.
It’s easier to gain than lose weight. If losing weight was simply a case of eating less and exercising more, there wouldn’t be a global obesity epidemic. The rise of obesity is disproportionately among the poor and uneducated. “ Healthy food “ and gym membership are expensive – and living in cities is often hazardous for walkers / cyclists.
A “ sin tax “ on fatty / sugary foods would be an administrative nightmare and regressive ( targeting the poor ) – Denmark imposed, and within a year abandoned, such a tax. Food and drink companies need to make money and although they may list fat, carbohydrate, protein, and alcohol content, they’re still going to market “ junk foods “ until / unless consumers stop buying them .
Drugs ( expensive, not without side-effects ) and surgery ( gastric band / bypass ) are the answer for a minority – and unlikely to significantly reverse obesity rates any time soon.
Ultimately the decision to try for a slimmer, healthier life rests with individuals. There’s a limit to what governments can / should do. If a health service only treated those who were ill through no fault of their own, hospitals and GP surgeries would become very much quieter places. As it is, eating, drinking and exercising are lifestyle choices for individuals to make, with due respect for others.
Good luck to all those who HAVE decided to improve their health in 2013, and please update us on your progress … not next week, but around June !
There is a particular problem with obesity in the USA and UK. Ironically until fairly recently malnourishment was a greater concern in the world – the Philippines now has a “ bipolar problem “ of malnourishment AND obesity ( the latter predominating ) in children and adults.
Most people know being overweight raises the risks of heart disease, strokes, diabetes, some cancers and other illnesses – and the health-care bill ( perhaps a fifth of the USA total ). But – unlike smoking – fatty and sugary foods, and alcohol, are not uniformly unhealthy, in moderation.
Most people also – if they’re honest ( many are in denial ) – know when they’re overweight. Accurate “ bathroom scales “ confirm – or otherwise. “ BMI “ ( body mass index = weight in kilograms / height in metres squared – “ ideal “ 19 – 25 ) is over-rated and not a good measure for all body types. Serum cholesterol should be less than 5 … but a decision to treat with diet and / or statins is a clinical one. Blood / urine sugar to rule out diabetes is easily done at the doctor’s surgery.
It’s easier to gain than lose weight. If losing weight was simply a case of eating less and exercising more, there wouldn’t be a global obesity epidemic. The rise of obesity is disproportionately among the poor and uneducated. “ Healthy food “ and gym membership are expensive – and living in cities is often hazardous for walkers / cyclists.
A “ sin tax “ on fatty / sugary foods would be an administrative nightmare and regressive ( targeting the poor ) – Denmark imposed, and within a year abandoned, such a tax. Food and drink companies need to make money and although they may list fat, carbohydrate, protein, and alcohol content, they’re still going to market “ junk foods “ until / unless consumers stop buying them .
Drugs ( expensive, not without side-effects ) and surgery ( gastric band / bypass ) are the answer for a minority – and unlikely to significantly reverse obesity rates any time soon.
Ultimately the decision to try for a slimmer, healthier life rests with individuals. There’s a limit to what governments can / should do. If a health service only treated those who were ill through no fault of their own, hospitals and GP surgeries would become very much quieter places. As it is, eating, drinking and exercising are lifestyle choices for individuals to make, with due respect for others.
Good luck to all those who HAVE decided to improve their health in 2013, and please update us on your progress … not next week, but around June !