Understanding obesity

As obesity rates in Britain continue to rise and related illnesses soar, Sovereign Health Care is urging individuals to understand and tackle this issue more, in support of National Obesity Week (Mon 17th January – Sunday 30th January).

Russ Piper Chief Executive at Sovereign Health Care, a leading provider of health care cash plans says: “Over a quarter of Britons are obese and millions are blind to the fact that their unhealthy lifestyle can double their chances of getting all kinds of obesity related illnesses and health problems such as back ache, diabetes, increased blood pressure, breast cancer and even blindness.”

He adds: “Obesity related health problems tend to lead to individuals needing time off work and having to pay for health care treatments which can prove very expensive, whilst staff absenteeism can also be very costly for firms.

“Small changes to our lifestyles can be hugely beneficial to our health and firms can help by implementing incentives such as free fruit, encouraging lunch time walks and where possible, contributing or subsidising initiatives such as corporate gym membership.

“Employee benefit packages can also support a healthy lifestyle, with health care cash plans enabling employees to claim money back for day to day treatments and procedures.”

To successfully achieve and maintain a healthy weight, the National Obesity Forum recommends eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting active. It also advises getting involved with slimming clubs, as group members benefit from mutual support and share tips and ideas for creating delicious meals and easy ways of increasing their activity levels.

For more information on Sovereign Health Care’s affordable health care cash plans for businesses and individuals see sovereignhealthcare.co.uk or for more information on the National Obesity Forum and National Obesity Week visit nationalobesityforum.org.uk.