Who Made Britain Fat?
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Who Made Britain Fat?
Who made Britain fat? Medical journalist and TV presenter, Dr. Michael Mosley, asked this exact question in his latest documentary, shown on Channel 4 recently. You may believe that weight control is purely down to personal responsibility. However, it seems more and more likely that it’s a much wider problem. Moreover, the government and food industry are playing a significant role in causing the rates of obesity to rise so sharply. On this page, we will share with you some of the facts and figures, and other important information, as presented in the programme.
Who Made Britain Fat?
The statistics are shocking. In the past 40 years, obesity has quadrupled in the UK. So now more than 60% of adults are overweight, and 28% of those are obese. As a result, the UK is the 2nd most obese country in Europe, behind Malta. And in 2021, more than 1 million people were admitted to hospital with obesity-related health conditions. 15 Million people are obese in the UK, and the NHS spends £5 billion per year treating overweight and obese patients. But who made Britain so fat? We also have our own blog post called “How Did We Get So Fat?”
It Costs More To Live And Die With Obesity
Possibly an even more eye-opening revelation explored by Mosley, was that around 15-20% of all coffins these days are bigger than the standard size. Of course, this is because the body of an overweight person is obviously much larger than someone of a normal weight. Apparently, the standard size is 24″ wide, and is only suitable for those who weight up to 350 pounds. Also, did you know that in the UK a burial plot for an ‘oversize’ person costs between £400-£500 extra, on top of the usual fee? So, obese patients cost the NHS billions when they are alive. And in death, they cause a financial burden to their families.
Who Made Britain Fat?
At the other end of the spectrum, childhood obesity is also becoming a serious problem. Between 2020-2022, childhood obesity went up from 1 in 10 to 1 in 7, by the time they start reception class at school. And, as many as a quarter of all year 6 children are obese. In response to the rise, in 2021 the government announced the opening of 15 new specialist childhood obesity units. It’s interesting how, up until then, there was only need for one of these units in the whole country!
Who Made Britain Fat? Lack of Consistency in Govt. Policies
One of the obstacles to tackling the rising obesity problem is the lack of continuity between different governments, as one political party takes over from the other. This means that policies are created, under each particular government, but then there is no further follow-up with then incoming ruling party. The first ever government policy document to mention obesity was back in 1992, under the John Major government. The plan was to reduce obesity in adults. However, since then, a staggering 689 polices targeting obesity have been passed, but unfortunately, only 14 of these have had any potential impact. And we wonder why obesity is increasing…
Also, in 2020, the government pledged to spend £100 million on tackling obesity. You may think that sounds like a lot of money, but just to put things in perspective, it’s a similar amount to what McDonald’s spends on advertising every year! On average, we make around 200 decisions every day about what to eat. It’s phenomenal! Yet most adverts bombard our minds with unhealthy, processed fast food and junk food. Do we ever see healthy food options in any adverts…? This is why obesity is increasing. We also have a page examining the link between obesity and TV screens.
Who Made Britain Fat?
And unfortunately, we all know how powerful money can be in strategic situations, such as advertising and lobbying. To illustrate this point, for instance, lots of “junk food” manufacturers, such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Cadbury’s and Coca-Cola, sponsor sports teams and events. As a result, it promotes the absurd idea that these products are healthy and will enhance a person’s physical performance! So, who made Britain fat…? We also have a blog post revealing some of the top secrets they don’t want us to know…
The Sugar Tax Debate
Regardinleading lobbying government policies, the sugar tax is a classic example. George Osborne introduced the sugar tax in 2018, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer. This happened because we were starting to realise that sugar was one of the main causes of our rising obesity problem, in both adults and children. As an example, the tax targeted fizzy drinks containing more than 5g per 100ml of sugar. Then the money raised by this tax was supposed to go towards promoting healthy ways to reduce childhood obesity. But in reality, this revenue just goes straight into the government coffers apparently!
And naturally, the sugar industry, as well as big companies such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, objected to the sugar tax big time, and there was intense lobbying against those promoting it. Celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, is just one example of someone on the receiving end of the lobbying. He was a big supporter or the sugar tax, but mysteriously, the only time he suffered cyber attacks and break-ins was during the period when he was speaking out against the food industry and the marketing of unhealthy products to children. Such is the power of money and advertising!
The Power of Advertising
In the UK, around 57% of our calories come from processed or convenience foods. And in our supermarkets, around 40% of the food we buy is on special offer. As a result, we often end up buying 20% more than we intended. And unfortunately, all the special offers tend to be the less healthy food options, high in sugar, fat and salt. With that in mind, you may like to read our blog post that explains “Why We Love Sugar, Fat and Salt” so much.
Who Made Britain Fat?
You may know that supermarkets employ marketing psychologists to determine the best ways to position certain products. For example, special offer items are often placed at the entrance to the shop, on the ends of the aisles, at eye level, or right by the checkouts. As a result, we are being manipulated into spending an extra £1.7 billion per year on products simply because of how they are laid out in the shop. Just another reason why Britain is fat!
Who Made Britain Fat?
Although it’s only scratching the surface of the problem, the government is now slowly starting to take small steps to control obesity. For instance, a new law coming into force means that supermarkets will no longer be able to offer ‘multi-buys’ on high sugar, fat, salt foods. Also, these products will need to be at least 3 metres from the entrance to the shop.
The Postcode Lottery
It’s probably not a surprise to learn that there is a big difference in UK obesity rates, depending on whether people live in an affluent, or deprived area. For example, in affluent areas, 22% of women are obese, but that figure is almost double, (39%), in deprived areas. Interestingly, the number of fast food outlets also varies considerably, according to different postcodes. For instance, the most deprived postcodes in the UK have 5 times more fast food outlets than affluent postcode areas. They also have the highest level of obesity, in both adults and children. Apparently, there are only 3 postcodes in the whole of the UK without a fast food chicken shop outlet!
Has Covid Made Britain Fat?
When restaurants were closed during the Covid pandemic, it caused a massive rise in fast food and takeaway outlets. In fact this was the fastest growing type of retail outlet in the first half of 2021. And, during the same period, ‘Just Eat’ orders increased by 76%, and Deliveroo orders doubled. Of course, thanks to the numerous smartphone apps available now, it’s even easier than ever before to order fast food, and get it delivered to your door, without expending any energy at all!
Doctor’s Orders May Not Be Enough To Solve The Problem!
Dr. Mosley stated in the “Who Made Britain Fat” documentary that a shocking 80% of illnesses treated by GPs now are related to obesity. Many patients are desperate for help with their obesity problem. So, they are asking their GPs how much weight they would need to gain in order to qualify for bariatric surgery! However, most doctors agree that they didn’t really learn anything about how to tackle obesity and had no nutritional training at all in med. school. Consequently, GPs tend to stick to the outdated mantra of ‘eat less, move more’ and follow the ‘Eatwell’ guidelines, when giving advice to patients.
Who Made Britain Fat?
Mosley also conducted a survey of 1000 GPs. He discovered than only half of them felt comfortable talking to patients about their weight. And, fewer than 4 in 10 of those GPs felt comfortable when it came to talking about a child’s weight with their parent or legal guardian. Also, only 30% felt well-enough equipped to actually treat obese patients. And so Britain just keeps on getting fat…
Michael Mosley himself was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 10 years ago. At the time, his own doctors advised him to start taking medication. However, Mosley decided to simply change his diet and lifestyle instead. As a result, he lost 10kg, and also managed to reverse his diabetes with using any medication at all! Dr. Michael Mosley has written several books and appeared on many different TV programmes, and health-related documentaries. He is probably most famous for creating the 5:2 diet, and more recently, the ‘Fast800’, which promotes a low-carb lifestyle.
The Takeaway
In conclusion, the TV documentary’s message is that basically it’s not all people’s own fault that they are getting fatter. It’s quite an uphill battle for many, because there are powerful forces working against you. And especially when it comes to your weight, health, and well-being. And unfortunately, it’s often related to money. However, the good news is that with a strong mind and enough motivation to make some changes in your eating habits, we have the tools to help you lose weight, and keep it off permanently. You may like our new dedicated page: Why you should think about skipping breakfast.
A downstream solution
Over the last fifteen years we have treated over a thousand clients each wishing to lose weight. We have amassed over 15,000 clinical 1:1 treatment hours resulting in us being regarded as specialists in our field. Our psychology focused programme has been featured in the media around the world, and details presented at major universities. You can read the details of the programme below. However we are the first to confirm that like so many other organisations, sadly we are providing a downstream solution to obesity. Of course, what is required realistically, is a long-term, upstream intervention.
Our Top FAQs: Who made Britain fat?
Answer: While individual responsibility plays a role, the government and food industry are significant contributors to the rise in obesity rates. Dr. Michael Mosley’s documentary explores these factors, revealing a complex interplay of policies, advertising, and societal influences.
Answer: The financial impact of obesity is extensive. Beyond the NHS spending billions annually on treatment, larger coffins and additional burial costs highlight the economic consequences. This sheds light on the broader societal costs associated with obesity.
Answer: Childhood obesity has risen significantly, with 1 in 7 children starting school being obese. The government’s response includes the opening of specialised units, but the surge indicates a need for consistent and effective policies to address this concerning trend.
Answer: The lack of continuity between different governments has hindered efforts to tackle obesity. Despite numerous policies, only a fraction have shown potential impact. The need for sustained and coordinated governmental action becomes evident.
Answer: The introduction of the sugar tax aimed to combat rising obesity, particularly in children. However, the lobbying power of the sugar industry raised challenges, emphasising the influence of big corporations in shaping policies designed to address health issues.
Answer: The prevalence of processed foods and strategic placement in supermarkets, influenced by marketing psychology, contributes to unhealthy dietary choices. Advertisements heavily favouring unhealthy options play a significant role in the obesity epidemic.
Answer: Disparities in obesity rates between affluent and deprived areas underscore the socio-economic impact on health. The number of fast-food outlets correlates with obesity levels, revealing a definite connection between the food environment and weight.
Answer: The closure of restaurants during the Covid pandemic led to a surge in fast-food consumption and increased reliance on delivery services. This shift in behaviour highlights the role of external factors, such as a global health crisis, in shaping dietary habits.
Who made Britain fat?
Are you tired of trying an endless list of diets that just don’t work? Frustrated with the constant cycle of losing and regaining weight? Are you looking for a medically endorsed solution, one based on thousands of hours of clinical experience? Maybe something that doesn’t involve following a restrictive diet, doing lots of exercise, or having invasive surgery…? So, go ahead, relax, and take a few minutes to daydream… What would it be like to be slim and healthy, to be at your target weight? Can you imagine if you never had to go on a diet again or be afraid of food? What if you were able to enjoy every social event with the fantastic feeling of extra energy and improved self-esteem? Welcome to My Weigh Less Master Class – The Gold Standard in Permanent Weight Loss.
Read on to find out about our award-winning solution! But first, allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Martin and Marion Shirran, and we have worked in the field of weight loss for almost 20 years. We are both clinical therapists and the developers of the globally acclaimed Gastric Mind Band Permanent Weight-Loss Treatment. Articles about our treatment and successful clients have appeared in the global media, including The Times, The Telegraph and the Express. Additionally, magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, Hello, Woman, Reader’s Digest and Psychologies have featured our work, as have TV shows around the world.
MWL effortlessly delivers the dieter into the eye of the dieting storm. On a psychological level, it delivers a profound and excitingly new approach to the introduction of change in a person’s life. The treatment allows participants to seamlessly overcome their negative issues around food and eating in general, resulting in them being able to make the connection between weight loss and wellness.
Who made Britain fat?
During the twelve one-hour sessions that make up the programme, dieters learn about aspects of obesity and weight loss that they may have never associated as being connected. The programme has been built around a combination of empirically proven interventions. These include TactileCBT, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming, as well as Clinical Hypnotherapy. The treatment is designed to connect your mind with your body, delivering a simple, clean connection between Weight Loss and Wellness.
Over a thousand people travelled from around the world to experience our weight-loss treatment. Our clients include celebrities, members of the public and medical professionals, including doctors, dentists, nurses, anaesthetists and consultant surgeons. Some clients simply want to shed their excess weight to look better. However, others tell us that health is the main reason. Many of our past clients have successfully reversed medical conditions such as insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease, whereas others have managed to avoid having knee or hip replacement surgery. You may like to read more details on our Medical Endorsements page.
Our weight-loss approach has been the subject of continued research and development over the last thirteen years. Sharon, above, lost 75 pounds. Our youngest client was just fourteen, and the oldest was eighty-six. Some clients wished to lose just a few pounds to fit into their wedding dress. But others, like Sarah below, went on to lose over 140 pounds. As a result, she was featured globally on TV and in the press. Follow this link to sign up for our course now, and you can start your weight-loss journey today.
Our psychology-focused weight-loss programme provides a ‘Psychological Reset’ for those wishing to lose weight. The programme incorporates an updated version of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, TCBT, which is the subject of our bestselling book, published globally by Hay House. Professor Windy Dryden of Goldsmiths University in London endorsed the book, and Professor Philip Zimbardo of Stanford University in the USA wrote the foreword. We also incorporate the latest developments around Neuroplasticity and Neuro-Linguistic Programming along with many other disciplines. One component of our psychology-focused weight-loss programme provides a ‘Psychological Reset’.
Just think for a moment how different your relationship with food and weight loss would be if we re-programmed your subconscious mind to effortlessly replace the word “want” with the word “need”? The result: imagine you are out having dinner with friends ordering a burger. Instead of hearing the waiter asking: “Do you ‘want’ fries with that?” without thinking, you hear and automatically process the question as: “Do you ‘need’ fries with that?” Things would be very different, right? You see, at a cognitive level, we process those words differently. Later, maybe the waiter says, do you ‘want’ another glass of wine? You, of course, hear and cognitively process the word stream as do you ‘need’ another glass of wine. You can watch an animated video explaining ‘Want and Need’ and how it works at the bottom of this page.
Another ‘fix’ in the programme relates to just why people eat. So, during the programme, you will be asked when was the last time you ate in response to actual, physical hunger. Most people say: “Thinking about it, I haven’t been physically hungry for years”. And so we ask them: “Do you ever eat when you are bored, stressed, tired, lonely, depressed, sad, to reward yourself, when watching TV, or maybe just to please someone else?” Then, we do another reset, and so it goes on…
Martin and Marion Shirran
We have spent many months completely reformatting our unique, phenomenally successful approach to weight loss. As a result, the course is now instantly available to download to your phone, tablet, or computer. This also means that you can complete the entire course without having to leave the comfort and security of your own home. Welcome to the ‘My Weigh Less Master Class’!
Read on the pages of this website how the award-winning ‘My Weigh Less’ downloadable treatment is successfully delivering what is surely ‘utopia’ to dieters: a medically endorsed, proven weight-loss approach that provides permanent results! The programme is also based on over 15,000 1:1 clinical treatment hours. My Weigh Less can help you reach your weight-loss goals.
– Permanent Weight Loss –
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We have over 100 blog posts on the site, covering many different topics. The blog page section is updated regularly; take a look by following this Blog Page Link.
Marion Shirran, as a director of Oxford Therapeutics Limited, is proud to be a registered Stakeholder in NICE – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Marion is also involved in the government’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity.
We were proud to be awarded the ‘Most Innovative Obesity Psychological Therapy’ in the UK Mental Health Awards 2022.
We also appeared on the This Morning TV show with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
In 2010, we travelled to New York to be interviewed on the Good Morning America TV Show.
We are also co-authors of two bestselling books about non-surgical weight loss, published by Hay House.
You can read a full breakdown of all the components included in the treatment package on the Course Details page. There is also an explanation of the treatment on the Does This Work? page. We look forward to working with you. Additionally, you can read reviews from medical and other professionals on the Medical Endorsement page.
Watch the short animated ‘Want and Need Video’ below…
Click on the link below to listen to our short audio introduction to the weight-loss course.
You can download the complete My Weigh Less course and start your weight-loss journey today.
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You can read additional information about Martin and Marion Shirran and their weight-loss treatment on the Gastric Mind Band website.
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Although the weight-loss results and success stories shown on the site are typical, individual results will vary, and are not guaranteed. Weight-loss success depends on each individual’s level of motivation, commitment, food intake and metabolism. Read our full disclaimer in the Terms & Conditions.
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