Obesity rise alarming, say UK doctors

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 11 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Obesity is rising at an alarming rate in the UK, say leading doctors. They are asking for immediate action to tackle the problem.

Experts from three medical royal colleges (UK) say that the government, the food industry and doctors all need to deal with this issue seriously.

Obesity is rising at such an alarming rate in the UK. They warn that over 33% of all adults will be obese by 2020 (plus 20% of boys and 33% of girls).

Being obese brings with it a whole gama of health risks, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

The three colleges involved in this warning to the nation are:

The Royal College of Physicians
The Faculty of Public Health
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

They said that urgent action is needed immediately from Cabinet level down.

They urge the government to launch a campaign. The public need to be educated about the benefits of eating well and exercising the body (this does not necessarily mean going to the gym, just keeping the body active).

They also urge the Food Standards Agency and the food industry to work together to produce healthier foods, and to promote them.

They ask that health professionals be better trained in how to treat obese patients.

The rate at which the British are becoming obese is rising more each year.