Tackling the rising rates of obesity from your desk

9 July 2014 by Catherine Holdsworth in Lifestyle

There have been plenty of warnings in the past few years about the rise in obesity in the world but are we really considering the financial costs to ourselves? Never mind the extra expense of a family bag of fun-size Mars bars, how much will treating the effects of obesity really cost you?

Alarming statistics suggest that almost 5% of the Scottish population now have type 2 diabetes: a direct cause of obesity. Factor in the cost of regular trips to the doctor, prescriptions and extra treatment and the bills soon add up. This therefore begs the question, should obese patients pay for treatment that is putting a strain on the already-stretched medical facilities?

In most cases, doctors agree, obesity is self-inflicted, and is becoming more of a strain on medical resources than life-long smoking. We’ve all seen the programmes about The World’s Biggest Man, and Embarrassing Fat Bodies, which make for compelling viewing. What is it about this self-destructive condition which makes us unable to look away? Surely we should take our own health more seriously.

Nowadays we are more plugged-in than ever before, with more of us employed in office jobs that don’t give us the opportunity to get up and walk around. The temptation to sit at our desks and open a packet of cookies is too easy. Joining a gym seems an easy way to combat obesity but all too often those memberships go unused. However, with the ever-rising cost of medical treatment, eating healthily at work can be a small and relatively cheap way to improve your general health.

They say charity begins at home, and in a similar vein getting healthier can begin in the office. Nutritionist Kate Cook advises that, while sugary foods give us an instant rush, the comedown, particularly at work, can be really tough. When those cravings hit, Cook suggests eating small, balanced meals and snacks to keep your energy levels high.

Cook also suggests that though exercise can take some motivation, it can give you a much-needed boost, increase your confidence and reduce your appetite. Even little things like taking the stairs rather than the lift can add up to make a huge difference to your day to day life.

Responsible employers encourage their employees to be healthy and happy; our Corporate Wellness Bible is full of hints and tips. Your health is your most important asset.