A Government report has projected that by the year 2050, over fifty percent of the adult population, and twenty five percent of children will be obese.
The report suggested that the nations weight gain was an inevitable consequence of a society with an abundance of affordable food, technological advanced labour saving devices, motorised transport and sedentary work.
The report calls for initiatives such as “controlling high calorie foods” and “increasing employer responsibility”
At first glance the proposals are worrying - will the Government tackle the problem in a similar way to the recent anti-smoking campaigns? Will taxation be raised on fatty treats? Or will we have to stand outside the office in the rain to eat our mars bars?.
The Government plans to act on the report, but the question is, will they tackle the real issues which are literally “shaping “ our society.
So what are the real issues?
CRIME - I have lived in the same town for over twelve years, up until a few years ago, after a night out, I would have no qualms about walking a mile or two back from town, either on my own or in a group. After witnessing several counts of unprovoked violent behaviour, these days I would not dream of taking the risk. The sad truth is that the streets are not as safe as they were ten years ago. People dare not travel by foot by night or day in many parts of the UK.
This affects how we limit the movements of our children - gone are the days when children could go out for the day burning calories, running, cycling, walking, exploring and learning independently from their parents.
The extent of crime and fear of crime has bred a judgemental society such that if a parent does not know exactly where their child is at any given moment, then they are in some way unfit. Children are kept in the home, bored and bombarded with relentless slick advertising campaigns for the latest goodies, eating snacks.
Until society feels safe on the streets, bulging waistlines will continue to pose a problem.
Cost and quality of healty foods
For the average family of four, the weekly shopping bills is a major expenditure. To buy enough fresh fruit and vegetables to ensure that all family members are eating five portions per day is extremely expensive compared to the cost of unhealthier alternatives - I must add that a significant proportion of fruit and vegetables bought from supermarkets are often rotten or do not ripen and have to be thrown away. Intensive farming for mass production has reduced the vitamin content in the fresh produce considerably - we have to eat more to get the same goodness - which may increase the profit for the farmers but is no good for the consumer. The same can be said for the meat, unnaturally and often inhumanely reared, injected with hormones, fed on an unnatural diet which affects both the quality and taste and has inevitable effects upon consumers. The government therefore needs to analyse the cost and sliding standard of foods and intervene in the interests of the consumer, forsaking profit for health
Work/life balance
For many families, it is a necessity for both partners to work full-time. The UK has the longest working hours in Europe and the fewest Bank holidays. For those who have a full time job, a house and care for children, there is very little time left to pursue a regular exercise regime. Children learn by example and many are watching exhausted, drained parents flop onto the sofa in the evenings or weekends. If the Government took immediate significant measures to improve the work/life balance - the result would be a happier, healthier, more productive nation.
Whilst we eagerly await the Government's plans to tackle obesity , we need to look individually at what we can do to improve our lifestyles and in particular our eating habits.
If you have access to a garden
Stuff the desire for a regimented clean designer look, get the spade out and dig yourself a couple of vegetable patches. This gives you the double bonus of exercise and natural, untainted, nutritious organic food.
Try to avoid pre-prepared, pre-packaged foods - even if they are quick and easy. Always stick to the basic ingredients - it is quicker and healthier to make something like an omelette than to heat up a pre-prepared boxed lasagne - full of fat and salt.
Drink plenty of water, as often hunger can be mistaken for thirst.
If you daren't venture out onto the streets and a gym membership is beyond your means, go home, forget about the phone and the TV, put on your favourite CD, and have a dance around for half an hour - It will do wonders for your health and your frame of mind.
