(NaturalNews) Obesity is again vying with 'climate change' as the most prominent 'long-term human survival issue' discussed in the British media. Recent news items have been precipitated by emerging statistics showing that in the last 5 years the number of obese people in the United Kingdom has risen inexorably.
In the final quarter of 2007 it has been predicted that within 3 years approximately 33% of males and almost three tenths of the female population in the UK will become clinically defined as obese. This implies that the total number of obese Britons will have doubled in less than twenty years.
If this trend continues the indications are that well over half the population will become obese by about 2030, with a staggering four fifths of the population being considered overweight.
The last five years has seen unprecedented injections of cash into the UK's National Health Service (NHS) but much has been diverted to treat what some suggest are 'avoidable diseases'. Health problems related to obesity are already costing the NHS over GB£1 billion (US$2 billion) per year. Unless the issue is tackled rapidly and effectively it will become an intolerable burden on the public purse, estimated to amount to more than GB £45 billion (US$90 billion)annually, within the next 25 years.
Almost three fifths of the cases of type 2 diabetes and over one fifth of heart disease problems, in the UK, are already attributed to the sufferers being obese. These figures are set to rise in tandem with greater numbers of men and women carrying increasing amounts of excess fat.
Such forecasts have led expert's to proclaim that the UK cannot hope to provide sustainable world-class health care, or achieve a healthier nation if such trends continue.
The UK's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, is now said to be backing the need for funding a long-term 'obesity action plan'. Current efforts to increase children's exercise levels, improve the nutritional quality of school food and impose stricter labelling requirements have so far had no discernible impact on the trend towards increasing levels of obesity.
As has so often been the case in the last 50 years, the UK appears to be following closely on the heavy heels of the United States with respect to obesity becoming a critical social concern. However, it is possible that recent US research implying that obesity might be 'contagious', could provide an insight to why numbers of seriously overweight citizens on both sides of the Atlantic are rising so rapidly.
Harvard Medical Researchers reported the findings of a 'heart study' that indicated that if you are surrounded by overweight family and/or friends you are more likely also to become overweight yourself.
Interestingly the effect seemed to be more significant between fat friends than fat family – dispelling any simple suggestion that genetics played a key role in these observations.
It has been subsequently speculated that when we are surrounded by obese or overweight people our perception of body related norms may shift and lead us to become overweight ourselves.
There has been a suggestion, on a positive note, that 'fat friends' may provide moral support for each other during a time when they are all trying to lose weight. However, the question must arise, if we are seriously trying to shed the pounds, should we simply 'dump' our fat friends and seek a new 'leaner' social network?
About the authorAl G Smith MSc BSc - Has been working and teaching in the food related sector for over 30 years and is currently a website publisher (http://www.gonaturalandorganic.com) and Independent Representative for the World's first extensive range of Certified Organic skin care and cosmetics (http://www.saferalternative.com).
Related Articles
• DHEA for weight loss: miracle drug or unproven experiment?
• The link between monosodium glutamate (MSG) and obesity
• Medicare declares obesity to be a disease, stripping away patient responsibility and power
• Medical researchers remain baffled at attempts to treat obesity with appetite suppressing hormones like PYY
• The Link Between Obesity, Cancer, and Toxicity (Part 1)
 |
Additional Resources:
obesity
overweight
natural health
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/022260.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
Honeybees Go on Strike
Adventures of Vita-Man
New Warfare
|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|
Printable Version
