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Why are we getting so fat?
Britain has become a land of fad diets and health clubs but we seem to just keep piling on the weight. Health Secretary, John Reid has called for a national debate involving the public, NHS and food industry on how to tackle 'worrying trends' in obesity - and the findings are to form part of the proposals to be put forward in a Government White Paper this summer dealing with issues such as advertising bans and tighter food labelling.
Mr Reid stressed that the Government cannot force people to be healthy with fears growing that strict regulation will lead to accusations of them interfering in the public's daily life and ability to make choices.
But it's obvious that something needs to be done. An epidemic by definition alerts us to the fact that obesity is sudden and widespread and, most importantly, undesirable. Is this seemingly infectious phenomenon inevitable, or where should we point the finger?
Changing lifestyles
As a nation, our lifestyles are becoming increasingly sedentary. In a recent research study into the lifestyles of 15 EU nations, the UK was only the sixth most active, with 60 per cent of the population deemed to have a sedentary lifestyle. The term 'sedentary' was determined by how much (or little) of their leisure time people spent on physical activity.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sedentary lifestyles not only increase obesity and diabetes, but also double the risk of cardiovascular diseases and exacerbate all causes of mortality.
The WHO cites overcrowding in cities, poverty, crime rates, pollution, a lack of green spaces and safe areas to exercise as core reasons for low levels of activity, and is calling on governments to promote physical activity and prioritise the development of safe public recreation facilities.
Another factor in our lack of physical activity is the use of technology in place of manual work. Machines, computers and automated gadgets are part of the workforce.
So, if we're not exercising, what are we doing? According to a recent survey by the Broadcasting Standards Commission and the ITC, more than 80 per cent of British adults watch TV at least daily, with the majority (61 per cent) watching between two and five hours a day.
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