Lifestyle to blame for growing issue

IT would appear levels of obesity continue to rise. Perhaps we should compare lifestyles between 1955 and 1975 for the answers.

The majority of males were employed in heavy industry like coal mines and shipbuilding. Physical work was de rigeur. The female population in the main were home-based without the luxury of modern appliances to minimise physical effort.

Children were more active outside of the home. Food consumption was based on home cooking using fresh produce.

Walking was the norm and car ownership was perhaps 50 per cent less than now.

Turning to 2017, heavy industry has virtually gone. The majority now work in admin, service industries, hi-tech call centres. The vast number of females most certainly are in that category.

Children’s leisure is now home-based where electronic games and of course TV dominates their time.

Fast food outlets and eating establishments festoon our town centres. In my village Whickham there are 21 food outlets – in 1960 there was one.

It can be argued despite our new sedentary lifestyle, we are living longer.

I would suggest improved medical treatment and facilities are the reason why this is happening. At enormous cost to the health service. DEREK THOMPSON,

Whickham