Obesity Continues to Rise

The aim of this article is to support you to place your attention on your heart health.  According to the British Heart Foundation, there are over 7 million people in the United Kingdom living with heart and circulatory diseases. 

Obesity is a chronic condition and a major risk factor for heart diesease. Sadly, obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions in the UK. The latest statistics shared on the GOV.UK website, in November 2022, identifies that 63.8% of adults aged 18 and over were overweight or living with obesity. 

The number of obese men, women and children living in England continues to rise. In fact, a survey, published in December 2022, found that men are more likely than women to be overweight or obese (68.6% of men, 59.0% of women).

The British Heart Foundation offers a wide range of resources and information to support the reduction of obesity among adults. However, the figures for 2021/22 suggests that the situation is getting worse. The NHS Digital National Child Measurement Programme published data shows that 10.1% of reception age children (age 4-5) were obese in 2021/22, with a further 12.1% classified as overweight.

Due to rising rates of obesity, life expectancy for the average man or woman in the United Kingdom could decrease by two to five years over the next few decades unless major efforts are made to slow down the rising rates of obesity.

What’s more, obesity is a risk factor for heart disease and other serious health complications:

• Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Having these disorders at the same time is a condition called metabolic syndrome, which can lead to an increased risk for heart disease and kidney disease.

• High blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease, is twice as common in obese adults than in those who are at a healthy weight.

• Obesity can also lead to arthritis, which is caused by stress on your joints.

A Likely Trigger for Heart Disease

Obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are a common grouping of risk factors for people with heart disease. Managing all these risk factors will help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

What You Can Do Today

The 2023 death registration summary statistics for England and Wales identifies that the leading cause of death among males was coronary heart diseases.  These are heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries.

Being overweight or obese represents a preventable cause of death.  In 2012, Clinical Scientist, Joseph A. Knight’s paper on physical inactivity: associated diseases and disorders, points out that about 65% of the major causes of death are lifestyle related.

If you feel you need to make some lifestyle changes, there are many things you can do to get your weight under control and to help manage your risk for heart disease:

• Take 2 mins to measure your Wellness Performance Score.  This free online review is designed to help you to understand how your lifestyle habits presently impact your wellbeing.
• Develop a diet and exercise plan that you feel is realistic and that you can maintain.
• Talk to your doctor about medicines that may help control your risk factors for heart disease. If you are prescribed medicines, take them exactly as directed and for as long as your doctor recommends.
• Resolve to make this year a healthier one-set a weight-loss goal and stick with it.
• Get an Accountability Buddy to support you along your journey.

In the meantime, if you’re busy woman who is looking for the best foods for your heart health, plus lots of tips for your exercise & diet plan. 💔 🚴🏾‍♀️ 🥗

You are invited to get instant access to Day 1 of my 5 Day email series: 21 Steps to Maintaining a Healthy Heart: A Practical Action Plan Designed for the Modern Woman.