... to think that the government must focus on public health post-Covid?*title edited by MNHQ at OP's request*

[Jourdain11]

This is not intended as any kind of "bashing" thread. But it seems that the UK is suffering badly from Covid in part because of the poor health of many of its population. Wouldn't it be worthwhile to have a meaningful and sustained campaign and strategy to improve public health once we are out of the worst of the pandemic? I'm not talking "lose a stone in three months", or "Eat Out to Help Out (remember to look for the healthy option)" but, for example, more focus on prescribed exercise for some conditions, more compulsory PE in school - especially primary, reintroduction of basic cooking skills at some level in secondary, public health campaign on the importance of varied diet...

Calorie counts everywhere aren't really a great solution, because they tend to affect some negatively, while others just ignore them But surely we can't and shouldn't ignore the fact that too many people are suffering avoidable poor health and that this puts strain on a struggling health service, no doubt playing some part in the current situation?

Urgh, typo! Post-Covid, natch. What is going on with my autocorrect? 😆

I truly believe that we've become too individualistic to respond to any public health campaign that encourages us not to be obese or to give up certain things. Capitalism has moulded us, and I fear it is irreversible.

But a meaningful public health strategy could make it more about choice than dictat? And if exercise (and making exercise fun and having different options) was pushed more in school, at least it might make a difference for that generation?

Public health campaigns are a waste of money. People who want to be healthy will be healthy. Exercise or PE at school is torture for most children - see threads on MN and this puts you of exercise for life.

There will no such thing as post-COVID - it’s here forever and we must learn to live with it.

*off

There will no such thing as post-COVID - it’s here forever and we must learn to live with it.

I meant post pandemic. Covid may become a regular seasonal illness like noro, colds or flu, but we're not going to be in lockdown crisis pandemic forever.

Why does PE have to be a torture? Introduce more swimming, dance, whatever. Make it fun, so that it is something people might actually choose to do!

I think the eradication of poverty would have a greater effect on public health

I agree with @BonnieDundee.

Agree with @BonnieDundee

I'm not saying I don't agree, but doing one doesn't mean you can't do the other!

I think not voting for these utter vampires might have some kind of effect.

The main reason why lots of people are fat is because they are stressed/have other mental health concerns and lack time.
Morden society needs to be less stressful and demanding.
And there needs to be a much greater focus on improving the mental health of the population.

I agree that mental health is an important focus, however you really can't pin the modern obesity epidemic on stress and poor mental health in the modern world. Things were as, if not more, stressful in the past and mental health issues existed just as much but weren't understood or treated in the way they are now, and the stigma was far far worse.
People are overweight in general because so many work in sedentary jobs, drive cars, watch tv to relax. And the ready availability and affordability of crappy junk food stuffed with salt, sugar, additives and trans fats - and the ready availability and affordability of food in general.

I know diet is a big factor, but I totally agree with you that sedentary lifestyle is a part of it. That's why I think prescribed exercise and more focus on movement activities in school would be a good thing.

If I ran a school, personally, I would ban flippin' constant snacking. There's no need for it. It just trains people into eating when they're not hungry

I also find it a bit depressing that so few people even seem to be open to considering this as an option!

Agree with you OP. I get that people who are unfit/obese etc may not respond to public health advice but there are an awful lot of people who are receptive to health advice but not receiving good advice.

I have family members who still eat far too much sugar because they’ve read some idiotic advice or been told by their doctor(!) that it doesn’t matter what they eat as long as they don’t overdo certain types of food. I’m sorry but that doesn’t cut it. A cousin was on what she thought was a healthy vegetarian diet but suddenly got pre-diabetes. Turned out she was downing quite a bit of sugar without realising it. She started reading some better nutritional advice and reversed her condition within weeks.

Two years ago I was told about a friend of a friend who had pancreatic cancer and was told by his doctors that it didn’t matter what he ate. Then a health-conscious mutual friend started cooking good fresh food for him with veggies etc and he kept telling her he felt so much better. His disease had progressed too far to reverse but his final months were much more comfortable for eating better.

I partly blame the good old NHS for failing to focus on prevention. And I’ve heard that medical schools only give a few hours’ training on nutrition. It’s not good enough and sets the NHS up for being overwhelmed with sick people.

A lot of people have not a clue how much sugar they eat. And changing your diet can massively change your life and health - look at Tom Watson, f.i.! Someone like him you probably wouldn't imagine would he receptive, but if someone (I believe in his case it was a medical friend) is blunt enough to say, "you can continue like this and get sicker and sicker, OR you can make big changes and be happier and healthier than you have ever been", the most unlikely people may respond.

It's absurd that it's considered normal and unavoidable for Primary School children to have T2 diabetes.

Also, marketing super unhealthy vegetarian and vegan foods as "healthy options" is very misleading. A lot of them are total processed crap.

@SheeshazAZ09 agree with your post wholeheartedly.

Tax people based on body fat%?

@Jourdain11

A lot of people have not a clue how much sugar they eat. And changing your diet can massively change your life and health - look at Tom Watson, f.i.! Someone like him you probably wouldn't imagine would he receptive, but if someone (I believe in his case it was a medical friend) is blunt enough to say, "you can continue like this and get sicker and sicker, OR you can make big changes and be happier and healthier than you have ever been", the most unlikely people may respond.

It's absurd that it's considered normal and unavoidable for Primary School children to have T2 diabetes.

It says on the front of every single ready to eat food product how much sugar is in it.

Short of having shop staff read it out how could it be more obvious?

Tax people based on body fat%?

WTAF

In teeny tiny letters which, let's be honest, nobody bothers to read!