Facts about Obesity

Adult Obesity

  • Research suggests that diet is second only to smoking as a cause of cancer - Obesity is believed to be responsible for 5% of cancer cases, and is linked to breast, womb, kidney and bowel cancer.
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  • According to a report published by the Food Standards Agency and the Department of Health in February 2004, a quarter of men and one-fifth of women are obese: in addition, 41% of men and 33% of women are overweight.


  • Cases of obesity in the UK have tripled over the last 20 years.


  • By 2020, at least 1/3rd of adults will be obese.


  • Obesity reduces life expectancy on average by nine years, and can be responsible for conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes II, stroke, cancer, joint problems such as osteoarthritis and high blood pressure.


  • Obesity accounts for 30,000 deaths a year in the UK alone.


  • Obesity costs the British economy over £2bn every year.


  • In 2001, we ate 2 billion meals from fast food restaurants in the UK alone.


  • There are only 13 specialist obesity surgeons in the UK and only 10 specialist obesity surgery centres.


  • Obesity is defined by the Body Mass Index (BMI); (the weight in kg divided by height in square metres). Obesity is a BMI reading of over 30. This is when excess body fat is at such a level that it poses an adverse health risk. An overweight measurement falls between a BMI of 25 and 29.9.

  • Some people have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight due to specific medical conditions. Common culprits include under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism), causing a drastic slump in metabolism, or polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS), where imbalances in hormones increase insulin levels, which can lead to weight gain.

    • Obesity in Children
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  • One in five children in Britain eats no fruit at all.


  • The average cost to produce a school meal is 35p, just over half the amount spent on British prison meals.


  • According to the Faculty of Public Health, the UK's school children get the lowest amount of physical activity in Europe.


  • Children are now fatter than ever before - A shocking 10% of all children worldwide are now overweight or obese.


  • By 2020, at least 1/5th of boys and 1/3rd of girls will be obese.


  • Parents could soon begin to outlive their children because of an epidemic of obesity afflicting the younger generation.


  • Many youngsters are now so grossly overweight they face premature death caused by a heart attack or stroke. Cases of type two diabetes, once described as adult onset diabetes, are now being reported by paediatric clinics.

In addition to seeing clients at the clinic, Martin and Marion undertake private, home visits, both in Spain and internationally, subject to availability and negotiation.

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To arrange a free, initial consultation, or for further information, please contact Elite on 951 31 15 91, or click here to e-mail us.

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