Uk Obesity advice confusion..

Stripycat
Stripycat Posts: 58 Member
edited October 3 in Health and Weight Loss
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15289625

What do you make of today's apparently conflicting instructions?

The government want individuals to take control and responsibility for their own weight. Fair enough, but is this possible in the current cultural climate around eating?

And, on the same day, for the first time in 20 years, the recommended calorie intakes for men and women have been increased.

Your views please!

Replies

  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    It's a bit of a cop-out really as the government has no money to run the NHS or anything else for that matter so they make it another "not our problem" issue so they don't have to do anything. Providing good advice is all they need to do really - some people really do not appreciate just what is healthy/unhealthy eating. I think changing the recommended energy requirement is a bit pointless really because everyone is different and just how many people are "average" anyway? MFP seems to be doing the best job here, perhaps GPs should be recommending it to their patients as they now have nowhere else to turn.

    I do agree we need to take responsibility for ourselves but there really are people out there who don't know where to start and need help and support dealing with their obesity.
  • mike41french
    mike41french Posts: 6 Member
    "It is about what we eat, how we cook it and about portion size."
    She said one of the problems was that people were not even honest with themselves about their diets, never mind health professionals.

    ---> Exactly this.

    But Professor Philip James, of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, said it was a "stupid" and "pathetic" response to the problem.

    "It is not simply a question of personal responsibility. There is an environmental problem in terms of the food system we have."

    He went on to say that the junk food industry "manipulated" individuals into consuming their products and that was why legislation was needed

    ---> This IMHO is rubbish. No one forces you to eat in McDonalds, and even McDonalds sell water, and salads. It is perfectly possible to shop in any supermarket, or high street and buy healthy, reasonably priced food, and at a volume that gives a reasonable portion size.

    Most of us simple chose (or used to choose) to eat lots, eat convenience food, not take responsibility for what we eat, when we eat it, and how much exercise (which can also be free and available) we did.

    Yes to education, and information, but only the individual can make the decision to lead a healthy lifestyle.
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