Obesity is on the rise!

Obesity is rising in both adults and children and it doesn't seem to be reducing anytime soon! Obesity has hit the press and is consistently being mentioned since the recent NHS statistics on obesity, physical activity and diet in England. According to stats we now have the second highest rate of obesity of adults and children in Europe. This is shocking and therefore I wanted to also raise awareness and point you to some good articles about obesity as something needs to be done!! 

Firstly the Stats: 
In 1993 - 13% men were obese, 16% women obese

By 2011 - 24% men were obese, 26% women obese

And today in 2014 - 67% men are overweight or obese, 57% women are overweight or obese

Children - 25% are overweight or obese. 

Read this article for more stats from the Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/29/uk-western-europe-obesity-study

According to mail online from a recent study, BRITISH girls are the fattest in Europe, Almost a third of females under the age of 20 in UK are overweight or obese, claims study @ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2642305/British-girls-fattest-Europe-Almost-females-age-20-UK-overweight-obese-claims-study.html

As you see these stats have increased rapidly since 2011 which is shocking and now that us British girls are the fattest in Europe .... What the heck is going on? Are you overweight or obese? Why do you think that is? Is there help out there for this crisis? 

Currently, we live in a world that overweight and obesity kills more than underweight. What is upsetting to me is the rate of obesity among children, according to WHO (World Health Organisation) more than 40 million children under the age of 5 are overweight or obese! Many countries are experiencing a rapid rise in obesity among infants and children under 5 years of age. Tackling childhood obesity now represents an important opportunity to reduce the impact of heart disease, diabetes and other serious diseases in future – while immediately improving the health of children. 
Around 3.4 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese. In addition, 44% of the diabetes burden, 23% of the ischaemic heart disease burden and between 7% and 41% of certain cancer burdens are attributable to overweight and obesity (WHO). This is terrible especially as this can all be prevented by a healthy balanced diet and exercise. 

Working on an obesity scheme in Luton (see details on the programme below) I recognise this and see how damaging and how much it can affects a child's health plus their childhood. I agree we want the best for our children but we can still give them everything they need without causing health issues due to feeding them too much. Not only do they have a limited childhood but they then go on to become overweight adults and as we all know, weight loss, maintenance and habit change is so much harder as an adult. 

Find out more from the WHO website on obesity in adults and children and whats causing it: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/

Another article I came across which I found fairly interesting 'Fat people stick together so they don't feel judged' on mail online. How your figure compares with others in the community is key when it comes to feeling good about yourself, a study has found.
I have also read that many have different opinions on what is classed as overweight or obese and what is becoming the 'norm' now is actually classed as overweight. Many parents see a child who has an unhealthy BMI as a healthy weight as they are now used to seeing unhealthy weight children and see's this as acceptable in society. If they see a child aged 7 with ribs visible front and back they feel the child is unhealthy, underweight and needs to be fed. With this, many are shocked to hear that a 7 year old with ribs visible front and back is actually a healthy weight and at this age, their leanest but as this is becoming rare and obesity in children soars we see it differently. So, coming back to the 'fat people stick together' I can see how this works. If you are with a group of friends or family who struggle with weight whether underweight or overweight it is highly likely you will too. We are most like the 5 people we are with most. 
Read more on this article : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2643858/Fat-people-stick-sake-happiness.html

As you can see within seconds of searching for obesity information I came across a lot, this clearly represents the issue we have at the moment and how serious it is. Please look after yourself and your children! Don't let you live be cut short because you made bad food and exercise decisions most of the time, it really isn't worth it! 

HEALTH IS WEALTH  





KICK START with LIVE WELL LUTON CHILDREN'S HEALTHY WEIGHT PROGRAMME...

Want to join the FREE Live Well Luton Children's Healthy Weight programme then contact me now to book a place. It is a 10 week programme over a 6 month period (Each session is alternate weeks, so you will be expected to attend two sessions a month). The topics include the eatwell plate, sugary drinks, food tasting, portion sizes, reading food labels and exercise. Each session is 1.5 hours consisting of a 1 hour nutritional workshop and a 30 minute activity session. We offer practical advice, help and support for families with children aged between 5-15 and the sessions will run in locations across Luton. Contact me (Layla) on 07860750708 if you wish to know more information or to arrange a consultation.