This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 27th, 2015at 4:09 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

The True Cost Of An Unhealthy Lifestlyle

Many of us eat too much, drink too much and don’t get enough exercise – if you think that doesn’t apply to you, statistics show you’re probably wrong. All of this excess and lack of activity raises the risk of ill health and disease – but reassuringly there are many factors that we can control and even reverse.

We are a nation pushing our luck when it comes to unhealthy habits. One in 5 adults smoke; a third of adults drink more than the recommended levels of alcohol and a third of men and a half of women do not get enough exercise.

Nearly two-thirds of adults and 28% of under-15s are overweight or obese; only a quarter of adults eat the recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day and nearly a third of people have high blood pressure.

Children consume 3 times the level of sugar they should, adults more than twice and the average person consumes 7.2g of salt – the recommended level is 6g.

BBC Health Correspondent Nick Triggle has looked at lots of different research to highlight the impact all of these unhealthy lifestyles can have on the nation’s health.

There are 7 established factors that raise the risk of ill health. They cover everything from smoking to low fruit and vegetable consumption. An incredible 93% have at least one risk factor, according to the Health Survey for England and over a third have 3 or more.

Nick points to some encouraging signs. Smoking rates are falling and there is evidence to suggest obesity and problem drinking rates are stabilising. But, nonetheless, the scale of unhealthiness is still proving to be serious burden.

Research also suggests that nearly half of all cancers are caused by avoidable life choices. Smoking, of course, is a major culprit, but so is diet and weight. Similar findings have been reached for other big killers from heart disease to diabetes.

The burden of dealing with obesity is massive. Public Health England has put the costs at over £4bn.

Prof John Ashton, president of the Faculty of Public Health, said: “Lifestyle-related illnesses cost the taxpayer millions of pounds we can ill afford. Unless we tackle these issues effectively, the NHS will not be able to survive the increasing pressures.”

So how is that to be done? Experts talk about a partnership between the national, local and individual spheres of society. We all need to play our part.

Health is truly everybody’s business. It’s in all our interest to get healthy and be active! Have a chat with our team the next time you visit an Active Nation venue. We’re on a mission to persuade the nation to be active – but we cannot do it without your help!

If you would like to read Nick’s article in full click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30934590?dm_i=1IYM,3508Z,8904M8,B96KY,1