Obesity in the United Kingdom - Essay Example

 Obesity in the United Kingdom Introduction “Obesity has grown by almost 400 percent in the last 25 years and on present trends will soon surpass smoking as the greatest cause of premature loss of life” (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p. 3). Concerns have surfaced within the government of the United Kingdom that predict an almost epidemic of obesity and strained health problems within the health services. Some predictions have shown that the children of today’s generation will be the first in at least a century to see a decline in their life expectancy. Many health problems are associated with obesity including such things as heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, osteoarthritis, back pain, and even psychological problems. There have even been recent statistics that include cancer to be associated with obesity (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p.3). Statistics show that British women are the most overweight in Europe and a fourth of these are obese to the point of threatening their health. British men are shown as one in five being classified as obese. There is also an alarming concern for younger women who are developing serious weight problems at a much younger age. It is shown that 16 percent of women between the ages of 18 to 24 are obese; and this is a much higher rate than other European countries. Younger men are doing a little better, showing only 6 percent for obesity. However, the older men between the ages of 45 – 64 are estimated at one third obese in the United Kingdom (Bates, Hope, 2011, p. 2). Health statistics of 2011 show European countries as well as the United States. The United Kingdom is 3rd with an obesity rate of 23 percent with the highest being the United States with 30 percent (Health Statistics, 2011, p.1). The last is Japan with 3.2 percent. Why is Japan at the bottom in obesity? With these disturbing figures, the following information will address what research has found to be the resources available, causes, some of the solutions and the serious health effects and costs in the future of the United Kingdom if changes are not addressed. Resources and Global Health Recent economic factors show that the average person in Japan consumes more than 200 less calories per day than the average American. It is known that food prices are much higher in Japan, however, the dietary habits are much healthier. Being physically active has become a part of the Japanese’ daily lives. They walk because the cost of driving is very expensive, and public transportation is very convenient. The public transportation system requires more walking as well (Senauer & Gemma, 1994, p. 1). In the previous decade there has been a lack of resources to fight many diseases that affect the world’s poor and sick. Thanks to a recent rise in public and private giving, more money has become available to fight some high-profile diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, avian influenza, and a few other major killers. Some see this as a form of public diplomacy, or an investment in self-protection, as microorganisms know no borders. While this is a start, it will take much more in the way of governments, health-care systems, and local infrastructures to improve health in developing countries. Many have fallen behind in hospitals, clinics, labs, medical schools and health talent; some just do not have any resources to bring about development (Garrett, 2007, p. 1). The Health Risks Obesity can lead to many health risks. Statistics show that it can reduce life expectancy by as much as nine years. This can be even higher if the patient smokes. The health concept is based on the fact that excess fat distributed around the whole body alters blood circulation and heart function. Further fat concentration around the abdomen is seen as a contributor to diabetes, hypertension and alterations in fat and cholesterol (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p. 16). It can seriously alter a persons’ blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin resistance (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p. 17). There are, however, differing degrees of overweight or obesity. A slight increase in weight can lead to breast cancer in women, reproductive hormone abnormalities, polycystic ovary syndrome, impaired fertility, back pain, and even fetal defects. An even more moderate weight gain can lead to coronary heart disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, hyperuricaemia and gout. The extensive heavy weight gain or grossly obese can lead to Type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, Dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, breathlessness and sleep apnoea (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p. 17). The most disturbing information has been seen within the area of diabetes. Statistics show that over two million diabetics live in the United Kingdom. However, it is projected that only half of these have been diagnosed. This report estimates that it will rise to three million by 2010. According to a recent article by Julie Mabley in 121doc Health News with BBC Wales 2011, the obesity rate in Wales is showing no signs of slowing down. This comes from information in differing Welsh hospitals and has shown an increase over the last few years (Mabley, 2011, p. 1). The same report through BBC Wales states that the average age of persons with weight-related health issues has dropped drastically in the last few years. This among other factors has projected a dismal future for healthcare within the United Kingdom. “Obesity now affects 57 out of every 100 Welsh people,” as stated by Dr. Tony Jewell in this BBC interview (Mabley, 2011, p. 1). The number of hospitalizations for obesity increased from 3,000 to 4,500 between 2007 and 2010 and is showing signs of climbing in the year 2011. It is also noted that the treatments included type II diabetes, heart problems, and joint aches. There has been a dramatic increase in people in their 30s being admitted for heart disease. National Health Services suggests that attention to early weight loss can prevent heart problems as well as save public spending money (Mabley, 2011, p. 1). Researchers at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom reported in an article in November 2011 that “childhood obesity does not appear to be a predictor of metabolic disorders in adulthood.” However, kids who are lean but gain weight as adults are at more risk for these diseases (Hand, 2011, p.1). The same researchers in 2010 found little evidence to link childhood obesity to adult blood pressure problems or cardiovascular problems. The researchers analyzed 11 research studies which included at least one biomarker for metabolic disease and four which had metabolic syndrome as a study end point, to determine the connection between childhood obesity and adult metabolic disease risk. “We were surprised to see that when we adjusted for adult body mass index, the relationships disappeared, and, in fact, many of them reversed,” quoted Sarah McMullen, PhD with the University of Nottingham (Hand, 2011, p. 1). She further added, that it was surprising to find that those who are lean in childhood and go on to gain weight in adulthood are more at risk. The research found a lack of association between childhood obesity and dyslipidemia. However, there was a negative connection between insulin resistance with the heavier child less likely to develop a problem. Simon Langley-Evans, PhD, chair of human nutrition at Nottingham stated, “There is substantial evidence that childhood obesity tracks into adulthood and it is clear that adult obesity puts us at higher risk of metabolic disease” (Hand, 2011, p. 1). Professor Terence Wilkin, from the Peninsula University, Plymouth in an Early Bird Study with factors in childhood that lead to insulin resistance and diabetes, suggests that hyperinsulinaemia causes many more metabolic diseases other than just diabetes. He contends that cardiovascular disease is an inevitable condition of diabetes rather than just being a complication. Comparing his study with America, he contends that obesity and diabetes are so inter-related that in America it has been called “diabesity.” Diabetes leads not only to cardiovascular disease but also blindness, kidney failure, stroke, osteoarthritis and nervous system damage. The nervous system damage leads to leg ulcers and limb amputation (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p.18). Some other complications of obesity are joint disorders affecting the knees, hips and lower back. These complications can lead to osteoarthritis, which puts extra pressure on the joints and wears at the protective cartilage. Back pain accounts for more than 11 million lost working days each year in Britain (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p, 20). Another factor that is sometimes overlooked is the psychological damages caused by obesity. This factor can lead to emotional and psychological problems ranging from lowered self-esteem, clinical depression, and suicide. These factors can show up at a very early age as well. Studies show that anxiety and depression are three to four times higher among over weight individuals. The study further indicates that women, especially, are 37 percent more likely to commit suicide than normal weight women. The 2001 National Audit Office (NAO) Report, Tackling Obesity in England, stated “Obese people….are more likely to suffer from a number of psychological problems, including binge-eating, low self-image and confidence, and a sense of isolation and humiliation arising from practical problems” (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, P. 20). Alcohol consumption has increased, especially among women and young people during the past years, which has contributed not only to caloric intake but also psychological problems with “binge drinking” (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p. 28). What are the Causes? Many factors have been studied to determine the root cause of obesity within the United Kingdom. It has been determined that obesity develops when there is a severe imbalance between the energy consumed and the energy used up in everyday life. Since there has been a change in recent decades toward gluttony and a sedentary lifestyle, rapid weight gain has become an increased problem. Overeating has become a matter of cheapness, availability of foods, and excessive marketing of energy-dense foods. Changing lifestyles have increased the need for snacks and ready-prepared foods. This, in turn, has made it harder to select healthy foods. Changing lifestyles of working families causes many meals to be eaten outside the home, which is another determining problem (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p. 24). Information in the Health Committee report shows that even though caloric consumption has fallen, the types of foods eaten have changed considerably. There has been an increase in fatty foods from carbohydrates, sugars and other refined carbohydrates. This equates to energy density, which is a measure of the calories in relation to the total volume and how satisfying or filling is the food. Many of these types of foods are high in fat and have little effect on filling you up; an example would be a Snicker bar. If you are having a cup of tea in the afternoon with a Snicker bar it would be considered another meal instead of a snack because the food has such a high calorie and energy density. There has been an increased demand for convenience foods and eating on the move. Past studies have shown that the average time spent fixing a meal in 1983 was an hour. However, today the average time has dropped to 13 minutes. In the short decade from 1990 to 2000, buying convenience foods jumped by 24 percent. Demand for readily prepared meals in Britain grew 44 percent. Further information shows that buying pre-packed meals which are heated up, food from a restaurant or fast food outlet reduces the buyers choice as to what they eat. When you prepare your own food you control the fat, sugar and other ingredients in the dish. You, also, control the portion size and quantity made (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p. 27). Addressing the Solution The one major solution is education. It is vital that the public knows what the dangers of obesity are and their causes. It is important that citizens of the United Kingdom are educated from an early age the importance of eating healthy. This can include domestic class education within the school system. It is also crucial that legislation be promoted to simplify food labeling and classification making it easier to choose healthy foods. Tighter controls over advertising of foods to children will improve what they choose as healthy foods. Recommendations for good nutrition within the schools of the United Kingdom are a priority. The Health Committee has suggested that they move away from energy dense foods, and high salt content foods. They have also introduced recommendations to the food industry to reduce costs of healthy foods for people on budgets. Addressing the sedentary lifestyles will require a much larger commitment in funding and organization of recreation in schools. They propose a target of 3 hours per week physical activity for children in the schools of the United Kingdom. They have, also, introduced the concept of dance and aerobics classes for physical activity (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p. 27). According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), “British children eat fewer than half the recommended portions of fruit and vegetables a day” (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004, p. 29). It is also noted that their fat, sugar and salt exceed the maximum recommendations for adults. The message is not being taken seriously. A variety of cultural and economic reasons, which include commercial food promotion and food pricing, prevent preparing healthy foods. Teaching cooking skills can greatly reduce the reliance on fat, salt and processed foods. Costs and Conclusion In 2002 it was estimated that the cost of treating obesity within the United Kingdom was 49 million and another 1,075 million for treating the result of obesity. In 2005, 871,000 prescriptions were issued for the treatment of obesity compared to 127,000 in 1999. That is a 585 percent increase (NHS Information Centre, 2006, p. 1). In England, men classified as obese increased from 13.2 percent in 1993 to 23.1 percent in 2005. For women the increase was 16.4 percent to 24.8 percent during the same period. We have looked at the problems with obesity, the causes, the solutions and the costs in health as well as currency. Over the 20 years up until 2004 there has been a major change in the way people eat, how much, and what they eat. The trend has moved toward snacking, eating out and dependency on convenience foods. The patterns are directly related to the social changes that have taken place over the past 50 years with more women working outside the home, longer working hours and higher levels of spendable income. While these factors have contributed somewhat, they do not contribute directly to obesity. The fact those lifestyles have changed over the past decades have brought about a need for convenience foods, and that has contributed directly to obesity. Some English doctors predicted in 2006, in the British Medical Journal, if nothing is done about the rising obesity rate that it could bankrupt the country’s health system. The cost of obesity to health services in Western nations in 2006 was 9 percent. However, we have seen the positive aspects that do exist in Japan. The average person is responsible for his or her own health. However, government and society within the United Kingdom as well as other Nations have a responsibility to make healthy choices available to everyone (Melville, 2006, p. 1). Recent availability of private funding could become a positive contributor to improvements in the global obesity rate (Garrett, 2007, p. 1). References Bates, Claire; Hope, Jenny. “British women are the fattest in Europe with a Quarter So overweight their health’s at risk.” 25 November 2011. Viewed 26 November 2011. http://dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2066060/. Garrett, Laurie. “The Challenge of Global Health.” 01/02 2007. Viewed 28 November 2011. http://foreignaffairs.com/articles/. Hand, Larry. “Childhood Obesity May Not Predict Adult Metabolic Risk.” 1 November 2011. Viewed 26 November 2011. http://medscape.com/viewarticle/753892/. House of Commons Health Committee. “Obesity.” 2003 – 2004. 10 May 2004. Viewed 26 November 2011. http://publications.parliament.uk/. Mabley, Julie. “Obesity treatment on high demand in Wales.” 18 November 2011. Viewed 26 November 2011. http://121doc.co.uk/news/. Melville, Kate. “Obesity Could Bankrupt UK Health System.” 15 December 2006. Viewed 26 November 2011. http://scienceagogo.com/new/. Obesity Statistics. “Health Statistics, Obesity (most recent) by country.” 2011. Viewed 26 November 2011. http://nationmaster.com/. Senauer, Benjamin; Gemma, Masahiko. “Why is the Obesity Rate So Low in Japan And High in the U.S.? Some Possible Economic Explanations.” 1994. Viewed 28 November 2011. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/. Statistics on obesity, physical activity and diet, England 2006. “The NHS Information Centre.” 20 December 2006. Viewed 26 November 2011. http://ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/. Read More