Figures show increasing numbers of children in Fife are also being swept up in the epidemic.
Around six million people in the UK could be putting themselves at risk of illness and premature death by failing to recognise they are clinically obese, believing instead that they are simply overweight. New research, published today by the Nuffield Health, also flags up poor understanding in the UK about obesity-related health risks. Half of respondents said they considered themselves to be overweight, but only 6% perceived themselves to be obese. Following a Body Mass Index test, the results revealed that a much larger group – 16% - were measured as clinically obese. The figures show a clear misconception over what is overweight and what is obese – a medical condition with potentially life-threatening health risks.
While many of us are aware that obesity can cause problems such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, an alarming eight out of ten people are unaware that obesity can lead to some cancers, two-thirds did not know it could cause liver disease and half were unaware that it increases the risk of stroke. For those who were found to be obese, almost half said they did not consider themselves to be at risk of serious illness or premature death as a result of their weight. However, more than a third said they believed they were suffering from a weight-related illness or injury, and almost a third said they were depressed due to their weight. Figures released recently by NHS Fife show that the region has some of the fattest children in Scotland with 52 kids weighing 16 stone or more.
Andy Wilks from the World Cancer Research Fund says it's about taking a 'common sense' approach towards your health.
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