NHS 'failing to tackle obesity' ??

[granny]

And, my final post on this (everyone breaths a sigh of relief ) - as far as the story about which this thread started, yes, the NHS is failing to tackle obesity and in a pretty massive way, but don't take that to mean that there aren't a LOT of people working in the field.

To really deal with obesity goes a lot further than just sorting out good healthcare for obese patients. Just to provide that you're talking about obesity clinics, diabetes clinics, education of both healthcare providors and patients, awareness campaigns, dieticians, etc etc. On top of all of that though you need social changes to happen too - something that's somewhat outside the remit of the NHS.

I know a lot of obese patients with levels of obesity ranging from everyday central obesity all the way up to patients with BMI's in the 30+ range (BMI = body mass index, a ratio of height and weight, ~20 is a healthy norm.) and despite the best efforts of the large number of highly trained staff in our department and in the health authority in general many of their needs just go unanswered.

 

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Originally posted by granny
And that kind of statement is simply wrong, damaging and idiotic.

Im afraid im not idiotic, although given how crass my post was i suppose that is fair enough.

Even if you're right about the complex factors, when it comes down to it the fat on obese peoples bodies doesnt come out of the ether. The increase in obesity is due to a decline in diet and lack of exercise. If people got off their arses and skiped the fry up for breakfast it wouldnt be so common.

I dont pretend that cutting down is easy, but hey thats life.

Dont get me wrong, im not the uncompassionate git you might think i am. I just think that the increase in the 'its not my fault' attitude thats developing here like it already has done in the US is dangerous. And the concept that obese people are somehow not responsible whatso ever for their condition anoys me. Yes they might well need medical care, but a doctor cant wave a magic wand and make them thin. The doc can help with any immediate problem but in the end the patient will need to eat better, move around more and generaly change their whole routine. If they dont have the will power to do that, then treating them wont really achieve much.

 

[Gekul]

There are a proportion of obese people with genuine problems. Yes, they need help. But they are not in the majority as far as obese people go in my opinion. Taking a lift instead of walking up one flight of stairs for example. People need to take responsibility for themselves. If the only exercise you get is from your front door to your car door, how are you not going to get fat?

 

[rynnor]

The causes of obesity are extremely complex and even if this thread went on for a decade we wouldn't get them all - I saw some recent research that linked conditions in the womb to obesity.

If the foetus is starved of nutrients (even for a short time) during its development a survival mechanism cuts in that causes it to reduce its metabolism and store fat - once activated this mechanism affects that person for the rest of their life making the body try to store fat and hold onto it and even influences psychological make up pre-disposing them towards laziness/indolence.

Its designed to help humans survive famine conditions but it obviously causes problems now people routinely live into old age.

 

[Flamin_Squirrel]

What you say is probably true... in a very small number of cases. Do people really belive that the increased use of the car, the availability of fast food and the decline in exercise has nothing to do with the increase in obesity?! Wake up people. 99% of obese inderviduals DO eat too much and exercise too little, it is that simple.

There are good examples too. Forgive my hazy memory as saw the program quite along time ago, but the gist is this...

On an island chain inhabited by a race of natives, is one of which has been westernised as a tourist resort. On all the other islands the people live in their traditional ways, and are built like twigs. The natives on the island thats been westerinised with McDonalds and the like, have developed a taste for fast food, and most are now spherical.

If the obese want support to lose weight then they should get it, but goddamn it the best person to help them is themselves.

 

[Delboy]

with McDonalds and the like, have developed a taste for fast food, and most are now spherical.

Hehehe @ sperical

 

[kameleon]

Look its simple. Eat less calories and do more calorie burning excercise. Its as easy as that. Don't come through with all this bullshit about it being complicated cos its not.