Obesity Bigger Risk

Experts are now suggesting that the health hazards of being obese have been grossly underestimated as risk calculations are based on weight alone and not how long someone has been overweight for. Research in the International Journal of Epidemiology suggests that for every additional decade of being obese this doubles the death risk for all cause mortality including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The overall death risk was increased by 7% for every additional two years of being obese with a BMI above 30.

This also comes this week on the news that the soring obesity rates are costing the NHS 8% of its medicines bill treating type 2 diabetes alone. This represents £725 million up 41% compared to four years ago. One in every 25 prescriptions are now for diabetes or 38.3 million items. Most of the increase in type 2 diabetes is caused by obesity with 25% of adults now obese enough that it threatens their health. It is predicted that by 2050 this could be 50%. The long term costs of poor diabetes management include heart attacks, strokes. loss of eye sight and amputations. Type 2 diabetes can be largely prevented and treated by regular exercise and eating a lower GI diet rich in quality proteins and plant food.

Keep well, Keep moving.

Kevin, 2 September 2011.