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Increased obesity levels pose global problem

In the last 14 years, the number of obese men in England has risen by 11 per cent and women by eight per cent to 24 per cent. Obesity levels in children have also risen from 11 per cent of boys and 12 per cent of girls to 17 per cent and 16 per cent in the last 12 years.

Although we often choose to ignore it, there is no denying we are a country with an expanding waistline.

Obesity is rapidly becoming the biggest health problem in the developed world. Believe it or not, obesity statistics didn’t exist 50 years ago, but now there are widespread messages about the dangers of being overweight.

An adult who has a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. A person is considered obese if they have a BMI of 30 or greater. The World Health Organisation predicts that there will be 2.3 billion overweight adults in the world by 2015 and more than 700 million of them will be obese. ** Adult obesity rates have quadrupled over the last 25 years and researchers warn that, in the UK alone, one in three adults will be obese by the 2012 Olympics. ***

Humans come in all shapes and sizes, but our height and gender determine the amount of body fat we should be carrying. A few extra pounds shouldn’t cause many problems but people storing too much excess weight could experience associated symptoms of obesity such as breathlessness, snoring, difficulty sleeping and back and joint pains.

However, the long-term health risks can be far more serious. In fact, obesity greatly increases the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, breast and stomach cancer, and gallstones. It can also be the cause of other problems, including arthritis and diabetes.

According to figures from the National Audit Office, being obese can reduce life expectancy by up to nine years. **** And worryingly, the condition is not just a problem that affects adults. There are three times as many obese children than 20 years ago, with at least 10 per cent of six-year-olds and 17 per cent of 15-year-olds now clinically obese.

But a government survey of nearly 1,200 parents revealed that only one in nine parents of obese or overweight children believe their child has a weight problem. *****

Health Secretary Alan Johnson urged parents to set an example to their children from an early age, as inherited habits can play a part in lifestyle choices into adulthood. Poor food choices, such as high fat dishes, processed food, or fast food can cause extra weight gain. Experts advise reducing calorie intake and exercising more to tackle the problem.

Nevertheless, with a busy lifestyle it can be more convenient to choose the easy option. Many people will work at a computer all day, drive to work, and sit in front of the TV in the evening.

Adults are advised to do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise five or more days a week to burn off calories and increase metabolic rate. Adapting more activity into your daily routine, such as cycling to work or walking to get a sandwich at lunchtime, all help.

Westfield Health believes in the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and taking preventative measures to minimise health risks. In line with this, Westfield has developed a range of benefits to help policyholders maintain a healthy mind and body.

Westfield’s Good4you and Advantage Plans include a health club concession benefit, which offers special concessionary deals at a network of UK health and fitness clubs. An innovative 24-hour GP telephone consultation service is also available, providing telephone access to a fully qualified GP at any time of day, from anywhere in the world. The GP can offer advice on a range of health issues including exercise and nutrition.

The Foresight Plan’s additional Fitness and Wellbeing cover offers the same benefits.

Read more about the Good4you Plan:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/individual-health-plans/health-cash-plan.asp

Read more about the Advantage Plan:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/advantage/index.asp

Read more about the Foresight Plan:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/foresight/index.asp

Sources
* http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/16/healthy-eating-smoking-drinking-lifestyle
** http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7151813.stm
*** http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7777108.stm
**** http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Obesity/Pages/Factsaboutobesity.aspx?url=Pages/what-is-it.aspx
***** http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7720398.stm

References
NHS website: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Obesity/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/what-is-it.aspx

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