Generation of Brits condemned to early graves by junk food, drink and cigarettes, warns leading GP

[mc_squared]

Generation of Brits condemned to early graves by junk food, drink and cigarettes, warns leading GP

 

 

By Sophie Borland

Last updated at 6:50 PM on 8th August 2010

 

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Stark warning: Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of GPs has critised Britons for their irresponsible attitude to health

 

Britain's top GP has accused the public of condemning itself to an early grave through soaring rates of obesity, binge drinking and smoking.

In a scathing attack, Professor Steve Field said Britons have a reckless attitude to health which is causing increased incidence of illness and death.

In a scathing attack, Professor Steve Field said Britons have a reckless attitude to health which is causing increased incidence of illness and death.

He also accused 'irresponsible' parents of endangering the lives of their own children by feeding them junk food, smoking in front of them and not being good role models.

Professor Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said it is time the public 'faced facts' and took responsibility for their own health.

He says it is wrong for people to take offence when doctors tell them to lose weight, only to ask for liposuction or gastric bands on the NHS several years later.

'It would be better if people didn't become fat in the first place.' he added.

 

Parents who smoke in cars in front of children are 'committing a form of child abuse', while those who feed youngsters junk food are condemning them to a lifetime of problems, he said.

 

 

More...

 

 

• Restaurants, cafes and pubs to list the calories in every item on their menu
  

 

 

'Unless parents exert more control over their children's diets, they are risking a lifetime of health problems and even premature death - death even before their parents, which is almost too sad to contemplate.' he added.

Pregnant women who smoke put their child's life in danger through increased risks of cot death as well as asthma, lung infections and even house fires, Professor Field said.

He also urged mothers-to-be to take particular responsibility over their weight for fear of risking their own lives or those of their baby through obesity in pregnancy.

 

Binge drinking: Professor Field said the dreadful effects of excessive drinking are being seen in younger and younger people

 

 

Irresponsible parenting: Smoking in a car, or at home, in front of children is 'committing a form of child abuse', according to Professor Field

 

Professor Field went on to attack parents who do not ensure their children are properly protected against sunburn, which is linked to skin cancer.

'The truth is that too many of us neglect our health and this is leading to increasing levels of illness and early death.

'The evidence is all around. There is dramatic increase in diabetes, much of it related to obesity.

'Then there is the dreadful effects of excessive alcohol consumption which we are seeing in younger and younger people.'

But other doctors and campaigners claimed Professor Field was 'naive' to blame the public for the nation's health problems.

 

Junk food: Professor Vivienne Nathanson said children are bombarded by TV adverts for junk food, which is what they want to eat

 

Professor Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the British Medical Association, said: 'We live in what has become known as an obeseogenic society.

 

'Parents cannot be blamed, they are kicking against the tide. Children are bombarded by adverts for foods high in sugar and salt which is what they want to eat.

'Exercise is becoming more and more difficult. The streets are increasingly busy with traffic and playing fields are being sold off.

'Parents often don't want their children to walk home alone after sports clubs as they don't feel it is safe.

'Furthermore many sports facilities have just become too expensive for most people to use.

'Children don't grow up in a vacuum. Children aren't just influenced by what their parents think.'

 

'Unless parents exert more control over their children's diets, they are risking a lifetime of health problems and even premature death - death even before their parents, which is almost too sad to contemplate'

 

 

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: 'Professor Field is being incredibly naive. He is living a dream.

 

'It is impossible for everyone to take responsibility for their own health. Many people don't have the education to know what to eat and they do not know what are the right foods.

 

'They are bombarded by junk food adverts so this is what they buy."

 

But Professor Terence Stephenson, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics, agreed with the GPs remarks.

 

He said: 'Of course paediatricians agree that people should take responsibility for their own lives.

 

'But young children cannot do that. What they eat and the environment they live in are determined by their parents.

 

'There is a role for society to protect young children from promotion of unhealthy foods and passive smoking.

 

'Would all parents strap young children into a car seat if it was left to choice rather than law?'

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1301317/Reckless-attitude-health-condemning-generation-Brits-early-grave-warns-leading-GP.html#ixzz0w2zxel1E

[Black Rose]

But the powers that be want people to die early so they can keep their pension pots ;)

[mc_squared]

But the powers that be want people to die early so they can keep their pension pots ;)

 

In that case I'm amazed they're not pushing "deep-fried Mars bars"!:rolleyes:

[Black Rose]

Drink and cigarettes are a massive double-edged sword.

 

They have got to be seen promoting getting ways to get people off them, but not so much because they rake in sh*tloads of tax.

[Reilly]

The guy with 3 chins and poor circulation is preaching to us about health?

[Black Rose]

At least he ain't from Nice

[mc_squared]

At least he ain't from Nice

 

No, he just stuffs his face with them.:rolleyes:

[Black Rose]

What he eats those interfering f*ckers from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence?

 

He should be awarded a knighthood

[mc_squared]

What he eats those interfering f*ckers from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence?

 

He should be awarded a knighthood

 

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