MODERN life is responsible for ‘worrying’ health in middle age according to new analysis from Public Health England.
It says 83 per cent of 40-60 years olds are either drinking too much, are inactive or are overweight or obese with a 16 per cent increase in the number of overweight or obese adults in the last 20 years.
In the West Midlands in In 2014 65 per cent of men and 64 per centof women aged 16 plus were overweight or obese and in 2014/15 there were around 54,212 admissions for which obesity was a contributing factor in the West Midlands.
Meanwhile diabetes rates have doubled amongst this age group in this period with 90 per cent of adults with diabetes have Type 2.
Public Health England is encouraging adults to take the ‘One You’ health quiz, which gives people a health MoT and directs them to personalised tools and advice.
More than 1.1 million people have taken the quiz so far and where appropriate, been directed to download our apps like Couch to 5K, Alcohol Checker and Easy Meals. Nearly a quarter of a million people have subsequently downloaded Couch to 5K.
Professor Sir Muir Gray, Clinical Adviser for the One You campaign, said: “The demands of modern day living are taking their toll on the health of the nation, and it’s those in middle age that are suffering the consequences most, as their health reaches worrying new levels.
“Over 15 million Britons are living with a long term health condition, and busy lives and desk jobs make it difficult to live healthily. But just making a few small changes will have significant benefits to people’s health now and in later life.”
Search ‘One You’ to take the ‘How Are You’ online health quiz or click https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou#sSLHD5tx27Kpqfm7.97
