Public Health Issue In England
This essay aims to discover and analyse adult obesity as a public health issue in England that has gained attention as it has a detrimental effect on society. The rationale for choosing adult obesity as a public health issue is to comprehend and develop the knowledge of its impact and promote good health. In this essay brief description of obesity, its trends and the bio-psychosocial factors that determine their health and wellbeing will also be covered along with health inequalities an obese or overweight individual. Furthermore, this essay will also highlight relevant health policies and legislation that aims to tackle the health risk and needs of an obese adult. Lastly, this essay will explain the role of a nurse in both promoting and assessing
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of the health requirements of obese adult and then the conclusion will be drawn with the summary of the key points of the essay.
It is crucial to understand what makes a community healthy, as public health is concerned with health promotion of population rather than an individual focus Department of Health (DOH) 2012). Wanless (2014) defines public health as a “science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting through the organised effort and informed of the society, organisations, communities and individuals”. It focuses on an entire population addressing the health needs of the population, working in partnership with an individual, communities, health worker, health agencies and policy maker to tackle public health issues and health inequalities (Nidoo and Wills 2010).
Obesity is one of the most prevalent public health issues affecting a large number of the adult people in England (Public Health England (PHE) (2016). Obesity refers to “a condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected” (Ewles 2005). Obesity is a complex condition often developed by consuming more calories, particularly eating an excessive amount of fatty and sugary foods and being physically inactive (NHS Choices 2014). An individual obese and overweight is classified by their Body Mass Index (BMI), a BMI value that is greater than or equal to 25kg/m2 is considered as overweight, and BMI value that is greater than or equal to 30kg/m2 is considered as overweight (World Health Oraganisation (WHO) (2016). This BMI value is obtained by dividing weight in kilogram by height in meters squared (kg/m2) irrespective of age and gender (PHE 2016d). Referring to the obesity statistic in England published by (Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) 2015) shows that the prevalence of adult obesity has risen from 57.6 % to 67.1% in men and 48.6% to 57.2 % in the women from 1993 to 2013. This means England has the highest adult obesity populations among Europe (Lansley 2011) and is set to rise in the near future. HSCIC 2013 reported that in England, the number of people admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of clinical obesity has tripled in the last five years (HSCIC 2016). As a result, the National Health Service (NHS) expenditure for treating obesity in England is approximated to be £5 billion per year (National Audit Office 2012).
A several factors in combination or on its own influence individual’s health and wellbeing and the community known as determinants of health.
NHS (2014c) identifies that individual lifestyle, housing, environment, culture, socioeconomic status and access to the health care system can determine the health and wellbeing of an individual and the community. Individual’s lifestyle and behaviour choice often trigger in influencing weight status (Sines et al.). In today’s life, people tend to have less time to cook their own meals, do exercise and usually eat ready meals or other junk foods (PHE 2016d). Unhealthy lifestyle is the key risk factors for developing obesity as well as long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and mental health problem (Nhlbi.gov 2016). Excessive calorie intake is often caused by high level of energy intake, such as eating processed or energy-dense food, drinking alcohol and sugary drinks and eating big portions of the meal (NHS Choice 2014c). Moreover, individual’s lifestyle and behaviour also relate to ethnicity, people with different ethnic background have their own eating habits and own certain types of food they prefer to eat in their meal (National Obesity Observatory (NOO) 2011). (NOO 2011) further explained in some cultures, view of healthy weight varies, overweight or obese seen as a sign of strength or wealth Referring to a report published by the Health Survey for England 2004, the prevalence of obesity is higher among Black African women (38%) and least prevalence among Chinese and Bangladeshi men (6%) (PHE 2016c). Likewise, regular physical activity such as walking, cycling, dancing, swimming, playing a sports game and gardening helps to balance energy and weight control Public Health England (PHE) (2016b). In addition, the way communities, workplaces, and schools are structured can affect the health of an individual. For instance, living in a depressed area that has limited access to healthy foods
at a reasonable price may influence a decision to eat these foods (Walley and Wright 2010). According to Guardian news published on February 2014 showed that the Northeast region of England is the fattest region, which has the highest 68% of fat people compared to London 57.3% (Boseley 2014). Similarly, a person who lives or work in an area that has easy access to takeaways and fast food twice as likely to be obese (NHS Choices 2014).
of the health requirements of obese adult and then the conclusion will be drawn with the summary of the key points of the essay.
It is crucial to understand what makes a community healthy, as public health is concerned with health promotion of population rather than an individual focus Department of Health (DOH) 2012). Wanless (2014) defines public health as a “science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting through the organised effort and informed of the society, organisations, communities and individuals”. It focuses on an entire population addressing the health needs of the population, working in partnership with an individual, communities, health worker, health agencies and policy maker to tackle public health issues and health inequalities (Nidoo and Wills 2010).
Obesity is one of the most prevalent public health issues affecting a large number of the adult people in England (Public Health England (PHE) (2016). Obesity refers to “a condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected” (Ewles 2005). Obesity is a complex condition often developed by consuming more calories, particularly eating an excessive amount of fatty and sugary foods and being physically inactive (NHS Choices 2014). An individual obese and overweight is classified by their Body Mass Index (BMI), a BMI value that is greater than or equal to 25kg/m2 is considered as overweight, and BMI value that is greater than or equal to 30kg/m2 is considered as overweight (World Health Oraganisation (WHO) (2016). This BMI value is obtained by dividing weight in kilogram by height in meters squared (kg/m2) irrespective of age and gender (PHE 2016d). Referring to the obesity statistic in England published by (Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) 2015) shows that the prevalence of adult obesity has risen from 57.6 % to 67.1% in men and 48.6% to 57.2 % in the women from 1993 to 2013. This means England has the highest adult obesity populations among Europe (Lansley 2011) and is set to rise in the near future. HSCIC 2013 reported that in England, the number of people admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of clinical obesity has tripled in the last five years (HSCIC 2016). As a result, the National Health Service (NHS) expenditure for treating obesity in England is approximated to be £5 billion per year (National Audit Office 2012).
A several factors in combination or on its own influence individual’s health and wellbeing and the community known as determinants of health.
NHS (2014c) identifies that individual lifestyle, housing, environment, culture, socioeconomic status and access to the health care system can determine the health and wellbeing of an individual and the community. Individual’s lifestyle and behaviour choice often trigger in influencing weight status (Sines et al.). In today’s life, people tend to have less time to cook their own meals, do exercise and usually eat ready meals or other junk foods (PHE 2016d). Unhealthy lifestyle is the key risk factors for developing obesity as well as long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and mental health problem (Nhlbi.gov 2016). Excessive calorie intake is often caused by high level of energy intake, such as eating processed or energy-dense food, drinking alcohol and sugary drinks and eating big portions of the meal (NHS Choice 2014c). Moreover, individual’s lifestyle and behaviour also relate to ethnicity, people with different ethnic background have their own eating habits and own certain types of food they prefer to eat in their meal (National Obesity Observatory (NOO) 2011). (NOO 2011) further explained in some cultures, view of healthy weight varies, overweight or obese seen as a sign of strength or wealth Referring to a report published by the Health Survey for England 2004, the prevalence of obesity is higher among Black African women (38%) and least prevalence among Chinese and Bangladeshi men (6%) (PHE 2016c). Likewise, regular physical activity such as walking, cycling, dancing, swimming, playing a sports game and gardening helps to balance energy and weight control Public Health England (PHE) (2016b). In addition, the way communities, workplaces, and schools are structured can affect the health of an individual. For instance, living in a depressed area that has limited access to healthy foods
at a reasonable price may influence a decision to eat these foods (Walley and Wright 2010). According to Guardian news published on February 2014 showed that the Northeast region of England is the fattest region, which has the highest 68% of fat people compared to London 57.3% (Boseley 2014). Similarly, a person who lives or work in an area that has easy access to takeaways and fast food twice as likely to be obese (NHS Choices 2014).