We're all aware that we are in the middle of an obesity epidemic, but what effect will this have later on?
The cost of solving Britain’s epidemic-levels of obesity in the future will be even greater than the problem itself, says Mike White, boss of Britain’s fastest-growing weight loss organization Boossh.
According to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Commission, approximately one in four Britain’s is obese, a figure that eclipses every other European country.
“We are storing up a huge fat problem for future generations, no pun intended,” said Mr. White. “Clearly, obesity poses a major health threat and unless we deal effectively with the weight explosion in Britain, the NHS will be completely overwhelmed.”
The report, which studied the various health issues in 31 European nations, predicts that the total costs due to obesity could spike by up to 70% between 2007 and 2015.
Since 1990, obesity in the UK has more than doubled. The only figure worth clinging to is that British obesity amongst children was slightly lower than the overall EU average: 12% of UK children are overweight or obese - the EU average is 13.3%.
“We have reached epidemic levels,” said Mr. White. “Although faced with an already-dire economic situation, giving up the fight to improve Britain’s diet will cost us billions in future NHS costs.”
Boossh plans to roll out a large-scale health scheme to combat obesity in adults and children, while instilling in them healthier attitudes towards food and lifestyle.
The average obesity rate throughout the EU is 15.5%: Britain topped out with 24.5% of adults obese. Although countries such as Italy and Romania have rates of obesity below 10%, in the EU as a whole more than half of all adults are overweight or obese.
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