Government is neglecting the nation’s health
When Henry Dimbleby recently resigned his position as ‘food tsar’, he cited the Government’s ‘insane’ inaction against obesity. In an interview with the Times, he said: “Winston Churchill talked about the greatest asset a nation can have is the health of its people”.
He also quoted Andy Haldare, former chief economist of the Bank of England, who said, “The biggest problem we have in terms of productivity in this country is illness, and the workforce is not fit”.
“Ministers have gone back on their obesity strategy, now refusing to impose restrictions on the junk-food industry. In ten years’ time whatever government is in power they are going to be dealing with huge problems as the NHS is going to suck money from the rest of government spending and cause misery from diet related disease. Type 2 diabetes alone, a diet related disease, is projected to cost the NHS 1.5 times what treating all cancers does today."
“Parents are fed up with their children being marketed junk food; they want intervention, and this can happen through restricting advertising and introducing sugar and salt reformulation tax and giving people skills to cook.”
We need to wake up and acknowledge that obesity and lung disease will soon be the major causes of death amongst all ages. Obesity due to poor diets, lack of exercise, idleness, and ignorance. Lung disease, due to EPC targets and building regulations resulting in the population living and working in unhealthy, hermetically sealed homes and offices which are slowly killing inhabitants.
Shockingly ministers appear not to be bothered, in their quest to be seen to ‘save the planet’ through some pointless net zero targets.
10 percent of children aged 4-5 were obese in 2021/22, with a further 12.1 percent overweight. At 10-11, 23.4 percent were obese and 14.3 percent overweight. (NHS figures)
Schools have a statutory requirement to check the weight and height of children at various stages to check their development. Despite the results being confidential, and the process being carried out with the consent of parents, some are objecting.
Overweight children are more likely to develop a variety of illnesses during childhood and later in life, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, dental, bone and joint problems. It also impacts on them emotionally and socially.
These matters and others such as the importance of food security, and the very real problem of water shortage, both in the UK and globally, cannot be swept under the carpet.
The health of the population, the sustainable supply of wholesome food and fresh water, are the essential ingredients which support a strong economy.
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