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Obesity: biggest threat to women’s health


 

The England’s chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, wrote in her annual report that obesity is the main health issue concerning women’s and the future generations. Dame Sally Davies also claimed that the dangers of obesity should not be underestimated. Moreover she recommended considering this issue as a national priority in order to avoid a “growing health catastrophe”.

 

At the moment, this “illness” affects 51% of the woman’s population which is a really high percentage in comparison to the other European countries. Indeed, in 2013, 64% of women aged 34-44 and 71% of women aged 45-54 were classified as overweight or obese.

 

In her report, Dame Sally Davies also warns the people about the unknown side-effects of obesity such as: increasing of the risks of other diseases (breast cancer, heart disease,…), or reducing the life expectancy.

 

If a woman is obese during pregnancy, the risks of various issues for both the woman and the baby are highly increased. That is probably the reason why Dame Sally Davies wanted to dispel the myth that women should eat for two while pregnant. That is absolutely not necessary whereas adding a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables and avoiding alcohol is.


It is also true that eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating are more common in women than men. To solve that problem, the chief medical officer suggested the people with eating disorders using the new and enhanced form of psychological therapy available online, called CBT-E, which is specifically designed to treat any eating disorder. She deeply believes that this website would help the patients to overcome their physical and mental issues.

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