Obesity Is a Lifestyle Choice - Claims Expert

Fad diets are no substitute for personal motivation and positive lifestyle change. That’s the message from Scott Watson, the highly acclaimed therapist and coach to some of the UK’s leading companies and individuals.

Statistics reveal that adult obesity rates have tripled since 1982, with over 30,000 deaths every year in England being caused by obesity alone. A recent study by the National Audit Office calculated that the condition costs the NHS 500 million each year. 19% of Britons are now classed as obese, while 39% suffer from being overweight. Worse still, experts from the International Obesity Task Force have warned that up to 40% of adults may be obese within a generation.

Watson believes that the current spate of so-called fad diets only serves to confuse people’s expectations and beliefs. ’Tackling personal obesity is more about taking control of your lifestyle, and less about jumping on the latest dietary bandwagons that often deliver short term excitement and long term disappointment,’ he states.

’We make all sorts of excuses for failing to change our lives,’ Watson continues. ’Not having time to exercise, eating through boredom and giving in to peer group pressure are often used as justifications for over-indulging. In reality, they are just poor excuses for our own inability to take control of issues that directly affect our well-being. After all, with 1440 minutes in every day, few people can genuinely claim not to have 30 minutes spare for a walk, or to visit a gym,’ he adds.

’Even more alarmingly, there is a growing trend in society for the children of obese parents to become obese too. Clearly, this is usually not a hereditary issue, more a question of lifestyle and personal beliefs. Frequently, overweight parents are guilty of imposing their own lifestyles on their kids, so these children often suffer from very unhealthy diets and adult sized portions, combined with a chronic lack of exercise,’ states Watson.

’Changing your life for the better is not painful, and requires very little in terms of personal investment. Moreover, the improvements that it brings to your health will be with you literally for life,’ he stresses.

’Current thinking suggests that a ban on junk food adverts, at least during children’s TV programmes, could help reverse the trend towards childhood obesity. Such a move would certainly help, as many parents succumb to pester power from their kids. However, this is only the surface of the issue. Parents must learn to educate both themselves and their children about the longer term damage that a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are storing up for them,’ concludes Watson.