Politics & Sociology | Politics & Sociology |
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| Written by Ross Edgley | |
| Monday, 30 April 2007 | |
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Britain’s epidemic of commercial-related diseases
More Specifically Obesity
If i can be serious for just a few pages....
The Government, Health Organisations and Scholars have all been documenting their findings regarding why over 50% of the adultpopulation is now classified as overweight and more than 17%as obese (Prescott-Clarke and Primatesta, 1996.) The main 6 being:
1.0. Current Thesis’ on obesity
Medical theories: “Scientists have discovered the clearest link yet between genes and obesity, in a study that opens the way to explaining why some people seem destined to put on weight while others remain slim.” (The Independent, April 2007 Steve Connor, Science Editor) The journalist here was referring to the ‘thrifty gene.’ People possessing this gene find their appetite suppressants (Leptin et al) don't seem to work, this is believed to be an indication of an adaptation to former times when food was scarce, and people who were ‘leptin resistant’ fared better because they could eat to gain a lot of weight when food was available which kept them alive in the lean times.
More Sedentary lifestyle: “The currentconsensus is that an environment which promotes sedentary lifestyle [and consumption of energy-dense foods] is the primary cause ofthe increase in weight” (Jebb, 1999).Machines are now doing the more labouring jobs; meaning most of us have jobs in the 'information society.' It is believed workers today burn 800 less calories than their parents did and despite this figure fewer than 25 percent of the population exercises 3 times a week or more. Readily Available fatty foods: “The consumption of energy-dense foods is one of the primary causes ofthe increase in weight” (Jebb, 1999.) In the present day, foods are being chemically engineered to taste nice whilst compromising their nutritional value. Historically food was simpler and more wholesome, ‘snacks’ such as sweets, doughnuts and crisps weren’t available so if people were hungry they would have no option but to eat fruit. Furthermore the high fat content foods served today are not very dense and so a lot more must be eaten before you feel full, whereas the more nutritional, often fibrous foods tend to engage the brain’s appetite suppressants far better. Attitude of people: Quality of life has become associated with minimal physical labour and a poor diet e.g. eating nice tasting, fatty foods socially, driving the car whenever possible. Parties become less about socialising and more about the over consumption of a lot of unhealthy food. Endocrine problems: This is the most often quoted reason for extreme obesity and also the most overused reason, for research has not supported this as a factor in most cases. (Current medical thought is that endocrine deficiencies account for less than 1 % of extreme obesity.) Medicine offers several medications which help those who do have endocrine-related obesity. “However it has been suggested that those who are 'fat and fit' do have an endocrine problem however, research tends to suggest that if a healthy lifestyle is followed, an endocrine challenged individual can have little to no health risks from related obesity.” (Sue Widemark, 2006, Why are We Fat.) Food Addiction: The latest studies indicate that people who tend to become addicted to various substances have less dopamine receptors in the brain. There is also some evidence that eating tends to cause some people to produce endorphins, a natural form of heroine which is an excellent pain killer among other things. With the ready availability of chemically engineered, delicious food, food addiction is likely to be existent in some people.
All credible theories that hold truth however one cause of obesity in this country that has gone unmentioned is the governments own negligence of the health and fitness sector and how the commercialisation of that sector has meant profit is taking precedence over the health of the country. 2.0. Untold and Controversial Thesis on Obesity Prior to the 1980s the Government believed it was the duty of the local council to provide physical recreation facilities (gyms, parks, swimming pools..etc) for the well-being of the local community. Facilities were either free or people were charged minimal amounts so the council had enough money to maintain such a provision, the emphasis was solely on the health of the people.
Then throughout the 1980s the Conservative Government introduced Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) in an attempt to bring greater efficiency to local government and health services through the use of competition. This signalled the change from the government providing leisure facilities to the commercial sector providing leisure facilities and furthermore the entire health and fitness sector becoming more profit-motive driven. And thus the emphasis changed from public welfare (government) to profit maximisation (commercial.)
This change to a more commercial culture within our health and fitness sector can be seen to directly correlate to the rise in obesity in Britain. In 1993, just as the CCT started to take effect the health and fitness sector became more commercial, 13.2 % of men were obese and 16.4% of women. Then throughout the following years and as the sector became completely commercial cases of obesity increased and by 2005, 23.1 % of men were obese and 24.8 of women. (The Information centre, 2006)
The statistics show correlation however the evidence can be seen throughout the fitness industry as commercial culture takes priority over the health of our nation:
- Personal trainers: A relatively new profession only really emerged once people realised they too could earn money through the commercialisation of the sector. Now it’s become so extreme, people have to pay extortionate prices simply to better their own health. Furthermore personal trainers instruct and give restricted information to clients, avoiding educating them so the client cannot devise their own diet and work out plans and thus are constantly dependant upon them (thus increasing their profit at the expense of the clients health.) - Fitness Magazines: Once again a relatively new phenomenon that has emerged once people realised there was profit to be made through the commercialisation of the fitness sector. However they never actually give you all of their information out in one issue, since then the consumer would have no need to continually buy their publication (therefore they partially educate you in the interests of making profit.) - Food and drink companies: Once offered nourishment at honest prices, now offer you obesity, heart disease and diabetes all nicely packaged, overpriced and in the form of fast food and sweets. Further proof can be seen when looking on a global scale, America is by far the most commercial country in the world and what is more they are also the most obese with a recorded 31% of Americans being deemed obese in 2000 (American Sports Data, 2006) (No CCT law was passed in America since the ‘USA Sports, Health and Fitness Model’ has always been commercial.) To their credit they are also the first country to begin trying to combat the commercial culture having an adverse effect on their nations health, with non-profit organisations such as Commercial Alert emerging. However Commercial Alerts efforts are only concentrated on the food companies. 3.0. Conclusion ‘Bottom line’ Britain is becoming fatter as a result of:
- The Government giving control of the health of our nation to the commercial sector (CCT 1980s)
- The Commercial health and fitness sector putting profit before the health of the nation
- As a whole their being less emphasis on public health and more on profit
- As a whole the Health and Fitness industry being designed to ‘instruct’ people (therefore ensuring they are
dependant and thus maintain profits) rather than educating people (which would be far better for the health of
society, but would affect profit.)
The epidemic of commercial-related diseases needs to be stopped now before Britain becomes as commercial as America and as obese as America.
4.0. Proposed methods of combating the problem: Proposed methods to combat the problem:
- Have PE Teachers teach Nutrition and Exercise as part of the curriculum in schools, so pupils leave school as their own nutritionists and personal trainers. Along very similar lines to the great work Jamie Oliver did for School Dinners (www.jamieoliver.com/schooldinners) however incorporating exercise, health and fitness teachings as well as nutrition. - Have Food and drink companies restricted in their marketing to children (reducing the ‘junk’ food industry’s influence over those most ‘vulnerable.’) -Change the emphasis of the Health and Fitness Industry from just 'instructing' people (therefore ensuring people are dependant and thus optimise profits) to 'educating', therefore making people more knowledgable and independant and able to better their own health and lives as a result. |