Another depressing thread

Allira

Life expectancy has increased again, though, after the drop due to Covid, so our NHS cannot be as poor as we think. They must be helping to keep us totter along.

Many people are still suffering the after-effects of Covid.

I think the issue in the report is healthy life expectancy, which seems to have gone down, and the difference between areas, which is about 20 years. I can believe that. As I mentioned previously, my area has one of the highest healthy life expectancies in the country. I've just looked it up and it's nearly 10 years higher (at 71) than the average.

Usedtobeblonde

I have had lots of stress in my life but I seem to have thrived on it.

I think there's quite a fine line between challenge and stress. It's set in a different place for differently people.

Life expectancy has increased again, though, after the drop due to Covid, so our NHS cannot be as poor as we think. They must be helping to keep us totter along.

Many people are still suffering the after-effects of Covid.

Macaydia

Stress is a factor.

Agreed! I missed that one out. I'd add sleep (or lack of) to it.

I have had lots of stress in my life but I seem to have thrived on it.

Whitewavemark2

Have you seen what the French children have 😮😮.

If only.

Yes, I have seen what French schoolchildren have at lunchtime and was going to mention it, but you got there before me.

Maremia

The fact that we are aware of some of the causes eg ultra processed food, is not depressing, because we can make that change for ourselves.
How do we 'help' the younger folk?

I don't think we should concentrate on ultra processed food, to the extent that people become obsessed with avoiding it. Firstly, some ultra processed food has its place - and it's better than starving. Secondly, there are many other factors involved in a healthy life expectancy.

Stress is a factor.

Have you seen what the French children have 😮😮.

If only.

Whitewavemark2

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.

School meals too.

There is often a variety on offer and much of it is processed fast food.
Efforts are made to improve school meals occasionally but children will always go for the 'fast food' rather than the healthy option.

If only school dinners were free for all, offered limited but healthy choices, that would go a long way to ensure that all children had at least one healthy meal a day.
Except in the holidays, of course, which is another problem.

The fact that we are aware of some of the causes eg ultra processed food, is not depressing, because we can make that change for ourselves.
How do we 'help' the younger folk?

Congratulations on your longevity.

Mind you, if you do rejoice, some idiot will accuse you of being smug😀😀

Such is the world that is GN.

twaddle

Usedtobeblonde

It is a particularly depressing thread for me.
I shall be 89 in a few weeks, shall I start to spend my remaining capital, not really interested, start clearing out my drawers and wardrobes to save the family the bother or just put on my shawl, perhaps take to my bed and slowly decline, or, just enjoy what time I have left and say to hell with statistics.
Answers on a postcard please.

Personally, I'd enjoy my time anyway and forget about the statistics. Remember they can only show averages. To be honest, the fact that you've made it to 89 shows that you've escaped the illnesses which get people in their 50s or 60s.

Yes!

uttb you have every reason to rejoice.

No need to be depressed Usedtobeblond you’ve already passed the healthy test. Iam presuming you are healthy?
My mum is 97, has cleared out her drawers and moved in with us. We are off to investigate a motor for her wheelchair as I’m getting a bit long in the tooth to push her up hills!

Usedtobeblonde

It is a particularly depressing thread for me.
I shall be 89 in a few weeks, shall I start to spend my remaining capital, not really interested, start clearing out my drawers and wardrobes to save the family the bother or just put on my shawl, perhaps take to my bed and slowly decline, or, just enjoy what time I have left and say to hell with statistics.
Answers on a postcard please.

Personally, I'd enjoy my time anyway and forget about the statistics. Remember they can only show averages. To be honest, the fact that you've made it to 89 shows that you've escaped the illnesses which get people in their 50s or 60s.

It is a particularly depressing thread for me.
I shall be 89 in a few weeks, shall I start to spend my remaining capital, not really interested, start clearing out my drawers and wardrobes to save the family the bother or just put on my shawl, perhaps take to my bed and slowly decline, or, just enjoy what time I have left and say to hell with statistics.
Answers on a postcard please.

I agree, Whitewave and Pamela. I just mentioned the ones which came into my head.

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).

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.

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

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).

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.

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

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.