3 February 2009
Healthy eating experts at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are supporting a national campaign to help stop obesity in its tracks.
The Change4Life campaign, a recently launched Government awareness initiative, aims to improve the health of families and children across the country. It promotes the importance of healthy living by helping families to understand the harm that fat can cause to their children's health. Change4Life also warns that a poor diet and inactive lifestyle can lead to cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Sandra Wooller, a paediatric dietitian based at Queen Mary's Hospital in Carshalton, said leading a healthy lifestyle is vital. She said: "There are two things we can do to be healthier: Eat a healthy diet and be more active. Living a healthy lifestyle does not have to be expensive and it doesn't have to be difficult. Whatever their weight, children need to eat well and be active. Children who are carrying around too much fat in their bodies are at risk of developing a host of serious illnesses later on in life."
Sandra added: "Healthy living should not be underestimated and it's never too late. Obesity is a medical problem that can be reversed. With the exception of quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet and being active are the best ways to help reduce the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer."
National experts say that without any intervention, 90 per cent of today's children will be obese or overweight by 2050 and the cost to the taxpayer will be significant. It has been predicted that the treatment of obese people will cost the NHS £50 billion - half the entire NHS budget for a year - if the trend continues. As part of the Change4life initiative, there will be extensive support and information to help families and children lead healthier lives.
To access information from the Change4Life experts, simply call 0300 1234567 or visit www.nhs.uk/change4life. All callers will be offered the opportunity to receive further information as the campaign develops and support from a Change4Life scientific adviser.
Visitors to the website will be able to do a postcode search to find local services such as cookery clubs, after-school activities and sporting facilities.
