Facts
Obesity is not new. Throughout history there have been overweight and obese individuals. Some famous figures from history that were over weight and developed illness because of it include: Henry VIII (diabetes), Dr Samuel Johnson (Gout, type 2 diabetes) and Samuel Pepys (gout).
- Obesity is fast becoming the Developed world’s leading health problem.
- Adult obesity rates have almost quadrupled (become 4 times greater) over the last 25 years.
- Over 2/3rds of adults in the UK are overweight or obese.
- Being obese reduces your life expectance by up to 9 years.
Being overweight increases the risk of developing the following problems:
- Type 2 diabetes
- heart disease
- strokes
- osteoarthritis
- high blood pressure
- polycystic ovary disease
Obesity contributes to 1/3rd of cancers of the bowel, breast, kidney and stomach. The number of obese children in the UK has tripled over the last 20 years. At least 10% of 6-year olds and 17% of 15-year olds in the UK are clinically obese.
We have given some prescription diets. It is advised that these are used as model diets. It is worth remembering that: