Another depressing thread

How many years of Tory rule have we just emerged from?
Could that have been a factor?

I think diet (processed food) is a huge factor.

Another factor is the poor state of the NHS.

I would say poor diet, smoking/vaping and lack of exercise has more to do with it.

The after effects of Covid, on obesity which I suspected might play a part

"Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures led to a significant, global rise in obesity, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as "covibesity". The pandemic caused a "double pandemic" effect, where obesity increased susceptibility to severe COVID-19, while lockdowns created an environment promoting weight gain."

(that's AI, but then gives the studies).

But it doesn't account for us falling back specifically. It happened to children especially

Unfortunately diet will play a large part in this.

Look at all the takeaways and fast food outlets we now have , particularly in low income areas.

If you go in any large supermarket look at the the areas dedicated to processed foods, ready meals etc compared to fresh food.

There are many families that consider a pot noodle, monster energy drink and a Mars bar a meal.

I'm afraid I agree.
It would have to be a study between countries on obesity to find out if we are worse in this eating/exercise respect.

It's not just low income either - observations in Sainsburys...

The factors I think that should be compared are

Cultural attitudes to food

Health services

Inequality within each country.

Yes, and lack of easy access to GPs.

Wwm and easybee have nailed it.
The increase of the incidence of some cancers has been blamed on obesity.
We should be in control of our own health and if we look after our bodies they should last longer. Obviously some people are dealt a losing hand from birth.
I don’t really understand why a lot of the population don’t seem to have realised what does affect health. We seem to be bombarded with information.
I’m sure some will blame cost. I fed 5 adults with a pack of diced venison (£4.50) this week, a hearty stew in the slow cooker. Probably cost £1.50 each - less than a can of drink and a bar of chocolate.

I wonder if we could compile a weeks diet for someone with 2 children on a very low income, who works 2 or even three jobs, lives in a inner city flat with little/no access to green space, or indeed space except the road.

No wonder life is so short and brutal for these people.

A single parent with two children is below the poverty line at £297 pw. If he/she is in receipt of child benefit it increases by approx. £45 pw.

But on top of that is the cultural layer of lack of knowledge about food buying and preparation etc.

Of course if you are exhausted from working 2-3 jobs you will of course take the easy way out and get a processed meal, more often

But all that taken into account doesn’t explain the general decline in our health.

I think people have, just checking briefly found books and U tube videos, but it's hard to take on cooking completely differently from scratch and if your kids are used to some sorts of food.

I think some people just get sort of fatalistic about it, it's too much of a struggle unless you have time and maybe encouragement too.

Useful snippet

"Yes, many food banks provide low-cost, nutritious recipes designed to stretch limited ingredients, often focusing on canned goods, pasta, and staples, say Frimley HealthierTogether and Luton FoodBank. These resources are available via websites, printed sheets, or sometimes even cooking workshops to help users create filling meals"

Does anyone remember Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food Programme, it was ages ago now. He went to one particular town, I can't remember where, to show people how to cook basic meals, how to source the ingredients from market places where they could undercut supermarket prices. There were those who had no idea how to do any of that, it came across as a complete mystery to some of the participants. A basic skill that had somehow passed them by, instead they ordered take aways, quite frequently. I remember him saying something along the lines of "it's not always poverty, but poverty of ideas" A mindset that regarded "Shepherd's Pie" as posh food . I do agree with Sago, a plethora of take aways on most high streets. Many of our grandparents and parents grew up in the Depression of the 30s, followed by the war and rationing. That rationing went on until the early 1950s, somehow they coped they cooked from scratch and had to use some culinary ingenuity with whatever was available to them, which at times was very little. It's generally considered they were healthier than subsequent generations, even if the nation's teeth were awful, possibly their bodies were in better shape. Gyms being relatively unknown outside say the boxing world.

Whilst I believe there are families in dire straits today, we also have to acknowledge diet and sedentary lifestyle, exacerbated by screens is a factor in declining well being and possibly, ultra processed food, drugs/drinks/smoking and vaping all feed into the overall health of the nation.

How many times do we read about the Mediterranean diet being one of the best. Pretty sure that would be a factor as to why people who hail from that part of the world maybe enjoy a greater longevity than those in Britain.

Inequality within each country.

The accounts of this report I've been seeing this morning are talking about inequalities in outcomes within the UK.

From the BBC report on this:

The analysis, based on data from the Office for National Statistics between 2022-24 and 2012-2014, found those in the wealthiest 10% of areas could expect to have around 20 more years of good health than those in the poorest.

A twenty year difference within the UK is a shocking finding.

Remember, this is talking about an expectation of a healthy life, not actual life expectancy. Two different things.

But what we mustn’t forget that processed food/ vaping/smoking/screens are available in all developed countries.

There is another factor at play here I think.

IMO, Ultra processed food, trans fats and making tasteless food acceptable with the addition of too much salt and sugar has a great deal to answer for.

Mortality has dropped by 2 years recently I think I read.

In the report it mentioned richer and poorer areas in the country. People living in affluent areas would not see poor health begin until into their seventies whereas those from a poor area would start to decline as young 51.
Poor diet, bad housing, smoking, alcohol and drug use are more prevalent in poorer areas leading to obesity and health problems later.
The divide between rich and poor in this country is widening so more illness is inevitable and we don't have the resources to deal with it.

Whitewavemark2

But all that taken into account doesn’t explain the general decline in our health.

I agree. I think the problems with access to food and open spaces mean that the issues will just get worse, but it's not that simple.

From what I understand, the report highlights obesity and declining mental health, particularly in young people.

Obesity is mainly an issue in middle-aged and elderly people. That doesn't mean that they necessarily eat more than younger people, but weight gain is cumulative, so even a few extra pounds every year means that somebody is two, three or more stone overweight by the age of 40. The causes of obesity are complicated and not just about ultra-processed food. It's not even all about food, but include feelings of mental wellbeing, time, money, opportunities for exercise, alcohol, smoking and general optimism. As people age, the results of unhealthy lifestyle begin to show in ill health.

It doesn't bode well that poor mental health is increasing in young people because some of them will turn to drugs, alcohol and poor lifestyle (including overeating).

Other factors to take into account when comparing us to other developed countries are

Free/cheap Access to early years education.
Good/cheap/free transportation
Good housing with sensible none exploitative rents/landlords

AGA you have just mentioned 5 factors that can affect health.
Of those 5 only one is something that probably isn’t a choice and that is bad housing.
Bad housing is depressing and can make it more difficult to cook and store nutritious food in a freezer.
Buying cigarettes/vapes, alcohol and drugs is a choice that was made at some point.

AGAA4

In the report it mentioned richer and poorer areas in the country. People living in affluent areas would not see poor health begin until into their seventies whereas those from a poor area would start to decline as young 51.
Poor diet, bad housing, smoking, alcohol and drug use are more prevalent in poorer areas leading to obesity and health problems later.
The divide between rich and poor in this country is widening so more illness is inevitable and we don't have the resources to deal with it.

Anecdotally, I can report that's true. I live in a wealthy area and we have one of the highest life expectancies in the country. The gym is full of people in their 70s and there are umpteen private gyms and fitness studios. There aren't many fried chicken/burger places, but loads of small cafes selling salads, Buddha bowls and the like (at inflated prices).