Real Progress on the NHS

The Kings Fund report out today shows the real progress that has resulted from Labour's commitment and record investment in the NHS.

The reduction in waiting times is very welcome.

The challenge for the NHS over the next few years is dealing with the health inpacts of rising levels of Alcohol and the problems caused by obesity.

In England 46% of men and 32% of women are overweight with a Body Mass Index of over 25-30,

Whist 17% of men and 21% of Women are classed at obese ie BMI over 30.

Oh and before you get the idea that I am some mega skinny person telling you about this I have to confess to my own battle with weight I am currently 14 and half stone battling to get down to 13 stone.

Mary Robinson

Was pleasing to see Mary Robinson's openness about her decision to stand down from Parliament due to depression.

Depression is a horrible illness that eats the person from the very inside of there soul.

All to often Mental Illness is stigmatised in the UK so Mary Robinson's decision to go public is helpful.

Alistair Campbell, Tony Bliar's media guru has done much to highlight many of the issues associated with Mental Illness.

www.time-to-change.org.uk

Child Obesity rates leveling off

Some really good news today as the rise in childhood Obesity rates seems to have levelled off.

Back in September I meet with Health Secretary Andy Burnham where we discussed the Governments 5 a day Healthy eating campaign.

The key for Government both local and national is to encourage the concept of a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and regular exercise.

Their is proven link between poverty and bad health for example men in Chelsea and Kensington live to 83.1 years on average compared to 73 years in Manchester.

Ideally not only would it be good for the gap to narrow but for the men to live longer in Chelsea and Kensington as well.

Daulling of McDonalds

As I am sitting down here writing this I am just about to head to the gym for a 60 min work maybe a bit longer if I can push myself.

The prospect of McDonalds opening daul carriageways to cope with demand says rather alot about the UK's populations attitudes towards food and health.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6416351/McDonalds-adds-extra-lane-to-drive-through-restaurants.html

Of course it goes without saying that the odd McDonald's once in while will not kill you but having watched Super Size Me I am just wondering if people realise just how damaging food which is high in fat, sugar and salt is when mixed with an inactive lifestyle.

Walking around many town and cities now its easy to notice the large number of people suffering for weight issues.

Ironically 150 years ago it was the rich that were fat and the poor skinny now in 2009 it seems the be the weakest members of society that tend to have a lifestyle of fast food and little exercise resulting in both a reduction in life expectancy and addional cost the to NHS.

This week we learned that a resident of Ipswich is a shocking 70 stone.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2690244/70-stone-Briton-Paul-Mason-is-worlds-heaviest-man.html

Fit for office

Well been a fairly average day with my bike now back from repair I peddled of to Norwich and recorded a personal best time of 55 mins from home.

Can now really feel my quads have been working, whilst in Norwich I purchased some new swimming gear with the aim to cut drag and head from 1250m in just over the hour mark to 1500m.

Tomorrow will be an early start in the gym at 7am for an hour before the 1250m swim later in the day a good walk hopefully at the coast with the evening ending up at my local for the Curry night.

Now about to stock up on the carbs with some egg noodles.