How can we improve the health of the nation?
One of the issues relating to the obesity crisis is, we are not eating food anymore, we are eating food-like products, which are manufactured and processed and loaded with sugar.
A study released yesterday by McKinsey & Co stated :
“And the obesity problem is getting worse. If the growth rate in the prevalence of obesity continues on its current trajectory, almost half of the world’s adult population is projected to be overweight or obese by 2030.”
In addition to some fast food outlets who sell high fat food, supermarket shelves are bulging with sweet fizzy drinks, confectionary, biscuits, cakes .. the list is endless, and that’s only the obviously unhealthy choices.
Turn the clock back to the 1950’s and the choices were so much less, and the food was real and less processed.
With unhealthy food promoted and marketed in an overt way, it is not always easy to make healthy choices, especially for the easily influenced younger generation.
Pussy footing around the junk food issue just isn’t going to work – is it time for legislation?
Do you think there should be legislation to add health warnings on junk foods and sugar loaded foods, in the same way that they are posted on tobacco?
What are your views on this?
We'd love to hear your comments
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We don't tolerate swearing, and reserve the right to remove any posts which we feel may offend others... let's keep it friendly!
Also, if you shop in markets, everything is a fraction of the price of things in supermarkets. We have a fruit and veg shop at home and you can get produce at bargain prices. Support your local shops as well!
we developed a range of lamb burgers, curry flavoured, lamb and mint burgers, and they went down a treat
I(had never worried about my weight, it had been 12 stone 12 lbs for ages, (I am 6ft tall) my weight increased to 13stone 3, and that was fine. Then I gave up smoking, and the weight went up again, and when I was left in no doubt that I was still doing too much, up it went again!! I now struggle to keep at around 15 stone!
Many do not realise the seriousness of this problem, which together with an inactive lifestyle can lead to diabetes, which in turn can lead to blindness, kidney failure and amputations due to circulatory problems.
PS
Does anyone else think that the 'Sofa bear' advert is totally irresponsible?
The saying "we are what we eat" is very true.....
Our parents didn't eat the processed rubbish we eat today, as it just wasn't readily available. They also ate fresh in season produce, not stuff flown 000s of miles to satisfy our need for all year round produce... remember the greengrocer, butcher, baker you used to visit??
We need to get back to eating fresh, in season produce and avoid everything else. It's good to hear the adverts about healthy sugar swaps, that's a start but the government needs to do more.
It took them about 40 years to put warnings on cigarettes though - so i won't hold my breath....
Junk food keeps kids happy and makes feeding them quick and easy when you get in from work - but with the right know how, fresh produce can be quick to prepare and enticing to children.