Dr Adelina Gschwandtner talked to Radio Kent about the impact exercising and eating better would have on the nation’s health and finances.
Research shows the UK has the highest level of obesity in western Europe ahead of Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Germany earning it the moniker ‘the fat man of Europe’. Dr Adelina Gschwandtner discussed the economic impact of chronic health issues associated with obesity, which has trebled in the UK over the last 30 years.
‘In the second half of the twentieth century the consumption of oil, fat, sugar and alcoholic beverages increased dramatically, and this together with consumption of tobacco and lack of exercise, has increased the risk of developing likelihood of chronic diseases, like some types of cancer, heart diseases, strokes and obesity.’
This has a huge economic impact she explains.
‘It has been estimated that healthcare cost the NHS caused by diet to the healthcare system in the UK is around £60bn. If the population could meet the national nutritional guidelines the benefits accrued from that would total a value of £20bn a year in quality adjusted life years.’
Gschwandtner who specialises in analysing the causal impact on of lifestyle on happiness thinks that there is an often overlooked aspect to the outcomes of increased obesity.
‘Its not just an economic issue, or a physical health problem associated with obesity, but many fail to realise that obesity results in individuals leading a less happy life. We observe people who have a poorer lifestyle have lower levels of wellbeing, and are also less happy.’