[Obesity Discussion]

OBESITY is Guernsey’s (England) next big health threat.

More people will die from obesity than smoking if trends continue, according to a report by the Health and Social Services Department.
Obesity is expected to overtake tobacco as the biggest killer in 15 years, affecting one in three adults.
Director of public health Dr David Jeffs said that if obesity was not dealt with now, large numbers of people could die from related diseases such as cancer and heart attacks.
‘The smoking ban proves that with a joined-up approach, we can beat the rising numbers of obesity,’ he said. ‘People know that smoking is bad for them, but are never going to give it up if they are not given support.
‘People say they see sense in what health experts say but never make the appropriate changes in lifestyle until they are forced to do so.’
The dramatic change in lifestyle during the past 50 years has contributed to the rise in obesity.
Energy intake has fallen by 750 calories a day since the 1970s, but activity levels have also fallen on average by 800, resulting in an extra 50-calorie intake each day.
Health promotion manager Yvonne Le Page said a whole range of issues would need to be tackled, but there were no ‘easy fix’ solutions.
‘It’s not a case of someone saying it’s OK because they fulfil their daily exercise requirements, because if they eat more than their daily recommended intake it’s still not good enough.
‘People are less active now because it’s easier to jump in the car to pop to the shop or buy a ready-made meal high in sugar, salt and fat than spend the time preparing something healthy.’
Health minister Peter Roffey said islanders would have to act soon. ‘I think one of the more stark figures to come out of the report is that obesity reduces life expectancy on average by nine years, which is something I know shocked members of the Policy Council when they discussed the report,’ he said.
‘As well as the States debate at the end of the month, we hope this will create a public debate and people will get behind this report.’
The strategy outlines key areas that must be tackled and departments must take responsibility for their own areas.
He said departments must approach obesity in the same way as smoking.
‘Prevention is proven to be better than cure. Tackling obesity must be made a priority as the long-term cost saving will be far cheaper than picking up the cost of obesity in the future.’

England Obesity