In one year the number of Britons hospitalized due to obesity jumped by 60%. In a startlingly scary figure, a total of 7,990 hospital patients in 2008/09 can claim obesity as the cause of illness, an amazing 800% higher then 20 years ago.
Given the prevalence of media coverage on the obesity problem, an abundance of reports and funding into fighting the problem we are left to ponder what is the cause of this obesity epidemic? More than at any other time in recent history we are aware of the health risks associated with being overweight. The government is spending more on education and advertising of the issue and in general people are more able to find out what is in the supermarket and fast foods available to eat. There are a wide variety of sports available to partake in and there are more gyms open today then 20 years ago. By all accounts we should be fitter, stronger and healthier then ever before.
So what is it that consigns many of us to being overweight or obese? Is it that we work longer hours? Is the internet and 100 channels of on demand cable tv to blame? Is it a lack of culinary skill causing us to opt for that ready meal?
This blog post does not claim to have the answer so instead I ask you for your thoughts and opinions – why do you think Britain has an obesity problem causing so many of us health problems?
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