I cast serious doubt on the usefulness of the BMI (Body Mass Index) calculation because of it’s origins as a statistical tool dating back to the 1850’s,

compared to more modern and accurate methods of establishing health levels that are available today, (Can you trust an old rule of thumb; Your Personal Trainer), Well interestingly the National Obesity Forum , which held it’s annual conference recently identified that despite it’s widespread use by doctors and other health professionals alike , BMI is a poor measure of risk of body composition because it doesn’t distinguish between muscle and fat . The forum advised that a far more accurate reading was to use the Bio-impendence analysis that most specialist sports instructors have been using for some time now. So the good news is hopefully , rather than discussing poor BMI statistics constantly quoted , there will be a gradual shift to discussing body-fat and lean tissue percentages when weight and health issues are aired as opposed to an outdated and inaccurate method.

How many people are obese in the UK?

The latest statistics from the NHS Health Survey for England from 2006 showed that for men, obesity levels rose from 13% in 1993 to 24% in 2006 - an increase of more than 80%. In women, obesity levels rose from 16% in 1993 to 24% in 2004 - a 50% increase. What impact is obesity having on the NHS? The cost of treating obesity and obesity related illnesses and disease is incredible. Figures just released show that 4.2 billion was spent on trying to combat the problem in 2007.

What is the predicted cost of treating obesity in the future?

If obesity levels continue to increase as predicted, estimates are that the cost will rise to £6.3 billion by 205 - if no action is taken to halt and reverse the problem.

What is the impact on health of obesity?

Similarly to the impact on the NHS budget, the short answer is a massive impact. From heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and joint problems, liver disease, cancer - all the big hitters are hugely affected by being overweight or obese. I would add to that that in addition to extremely serious life shortening and terminal health problems, obesity also impacts hugely on quality of life. Even everyday tasks that we should take for granted such as walking short distances become difficult, progressing to hard and finally impossible when you are obese.

Why is the obesity problem escalating?

Theorists have come up with numerous physical and psychological reasons to explain why obesity and weight problems are fast becoming the number one health problem in the UK. They range from the easy availability of convenience foods to the layout of supermarkets through to the reduction of PE in schools and many more.

Obliviously there are many contributing factors but the bottom line is that the food versus activity equation is wrong. Basically. If calories consumed exceed calories burnt, weight gain occurs - and that’s it ! I’m not addressing health benefits from exercise, etc here, or even looking at the right foods to eat, simply looking at weight gain. To balance the equation, exercise burns calories, eating the correct foods avoids too many calories consumed and sensible portions completed the picture.

What is the short-term solution?

For a relatively quick win, we need to focus open increasing activity levels. As a nation we need to break out of the car focused sedentary lifestyle that are so prevalent for many people and exercise more, taking up a short or activity to burn calories. This could be as simple as walking to work instead of taking the car. In addition to having an effect on weight issues, there will be numerous spin-off benefits in terms of improved health in every aspect of the nations well being.

What’s the longer term solution?

There are many areas to address here and to begin with, food related ones are key. Cooking education and skills need improving so that people have the skills to prepare nutritious meals without resorting to ready made meals and takeaways. Nutritional knowledge needs improving so that people know what they should and shouldn’t be eating. Food manufacturers need more stringent regulations regarding the salt, additives, quality and deliberately confusing labelling that some of them use. Lifestyle changes are needed so that our culture moves away from our over-reliance on the car for transport.

Computers are here to stay as are technological activates such as play stations and internet usage but that has to be balanced with regular activity and I mean regular activity on a daily basis. Exercise needs to be an important part of the school curriculum as any other subject. In the same way that we allow time in our lives to eat and sleep, we should also factor in daily exercise. To forgo eating or sleeping for days, weeks or even longer is unthinkable and ridiculous - we couldn’t function properly without those two key aspects of our lives.

Exercise for health benefits, reducing stress, calorie burning and enjoyment should be viewed in exactly the same way, not as an option that we try to accommodate if there is any spare time once in a while. And what if we don’t take action? Well who wants to be condemned to avoidable poor health and disease? And who’s going to fund the NHS’s requirement for 6.3 billion to treat weight and obesity related health issues in a few years time? Lets keep exercising and keep eating more of the right stuff! Enjoy your health and fitness.

Mal Purchase

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