Citation
Blades, M. (2005), "Editorial", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 35 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2005.01735eaa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Editorial
Obesity is such a tremendous problem that it is with great enthusiasm that I have compiled this special issue of Nutrition & Food Science as I hope that it will be of help to anyone with an interest in the topic. This is the first special issue of Nutrition & Food Science that I have written and I have tried to include a number of papers from various authors on this important topic as well as general information of where to get further information from web sites, organisations and books.
This issue of Nutrition & Food Science focuses on obesity from a number of perspectives. Obesity is considered by the World Health Organisation to constitute a world-wide epidemic.
In the UK one in five adults is obese with one in four predicted to be obese by the year 2010.
Not only is obesity linked with disorders such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, certain cancers and varicose veins but it also exacerbates problems such as joint and breathing disorders.
People who are obese find that obesity adversely affects their lives with problems of purchasing clothes, bullying, fitting into bus, theatre and cinema seats, mobility problems, employment discrimination and difficulties with relationships to mention but a few.
The life expectancy of anyone who is obese is reduced by nine years while it is reduced by seven years in those who smoke.
Indeed in a survey of people's biggest fears, surprisingly, becoming obese was considered to be a far greater fear than nuclear war!
There are all types of strategies and theories as regards obesity. However, as a practising dietitian with a number of grossly obese patients it seems to me that there is no one approach that suits every person who is obese. Also the approach that is required may change with time.
Mabel Blades