News and Opinion
There are stories relating to obesity breaking around the world every day. The stories below are those where journalists haver sought NOF opnion/quotes or summaries of research on which NOF may have a view. Where possible the source of the stories are identified by the newspaper banner or a URL in red.
NOF Opinion will always be identified in italics.
Obese Britains think they're healthy!
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 28 December 2011
40% of obese Britains think they are healthy according to a Bupa Health Pulse poll and are " blissfully unaware " of the dangers of eating too much and not taking enough exerise. The survey also disclosed that British people are among the most overweight in the world. Of the 12 countries surveyed, only the USA, Saudi Arabia and Australia had comparable levels.
There is considerable literature suggesting that not only the general public but also health professionals don't recognise unhealthy weight. It is essential that schools begin to shoulder a responsibility to educate everyone in maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding the non-communicable diseases that may result from beging dangerously overweight - type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues and some cancers. GPs are also key to this: if they fail to be honest with their patients asnd tell them that tbey are fat, the probably consequence may be that will become fatter.