We must surely take every opportunity to promote exercise and physical activity given the financial and carbon costs associated with our increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Obesity alone is predicted to grow at a truly alarming rate:
By 2050 the prevalence of obesity is predicted to affect 60% of adult men, 50% of adult women and 25% of children (Foresight 2007).*
Treating obesity and the associated conditions will place an enormous burden on the health service:
The resulting NHS costs attributable to overweight and obesity are projected to reach £9.7 billion by 2050, with wider costs to society estimated to reach £49.9 billion per year (Foresight 2007).*
A healthy population means less healthcare and less carbon. See this article about the carbon cost of a heart bypass operation here.
The good news is that research by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggests that even light and moderate physical activity reduces the risk of early death. You can read more here.
The Faculty of Public Health in association with Natural England have produced a report highlighting the benefits to health, particularly mental health, of greater access to green spaces.
BTCV's Green Gym initiative offers a practical way to improve health and the environment at the same time. More details here.
The Blue Gym is the water based alternative to the Green Gym, take a look here.
Have you considered taking part in the NHS Forest project? Get outdoors, plant some trees and cultivate community. More details here.
The Natural Health Service is a project run by Natural England promoting the health benefits of time spent in the natural environment. More details here.
Do your patients suffer from Carbon Dependence Syndrome? For an alternative take on our 'addiction' to carbon take a look at the late complications page of the Carbon Addict website.
As for me, I don't go to a gym but prefer to build exercise into my daily routine where possible. I do go to a yoga class each week and I can see that keeping up with my toddler is going to require increasing levels of fitness!
Tim Nicholson
*These quotes come from the National Obesity Observatory website: www.noo.org.uk
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