London: Britons have been eating and drinking too much as is evident from soaring obesity levels and rapid rises in damage caused by alcohol, despite a number of public health campaigns, says a new study.
The study, by independent health charity King`s Fund, has in fact painted a depressing picture of a nation afflicted by deteriorating eating and drinking habits since 1997, `The
Observer` reported.
On obesity, the study report says "there is no sign of the tide turning" despite numerous healthy eating campaigns, improving antenatal nutrition and a rise in the level of exercise taken by young people and adults.
In 2007, 24 per cent of men and women were classified as obese but experts predict this will rise to 41 per cent of men in 2020 and 36 per cent of women. Childhood obesity has
also soared, the report has claimed.
Information campaigns had not been as successful as hoped because "not all adults and children can correctly identify what equates to a fruit or vegetable `portion`," the
report says.
On the battle against excessive drinking, the study sees "no sign that the government`s aims to reduce harmful alcohol consumption have been achieved". Hospital admissions related to alcohol consumption have increased by 69 per cent between 2002-03 and 2007-08, to 863,000.
Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, the President of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said: "Alcohol-related harm has soared under this government, which has relied too much on voluntary agreements with industry on things like advertising, labelling and irresponsible promotion. The whole booze culture is a massive problem."
PTI
First Published: Sunday, April 11, 2010, 12:45
