Hot topics

These articles look at hot topics on diet, physical activity, weight, lifestyle and cancer.
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Tax on sugary drinks proposed
WCRF back the introduction of a UK-wide duty on sugary drinks, as recommended in a report from Sustain. The duty aims to directly improve health by reducing sugary drink consumption as well as providing money to fund children’s health initiatives.

TV watching over our lifetime averages 13.5 years
Statistics from 2012 show our weekly viewing time is up an average of four hours a week compared with the number of hours spent watching TV in 2009.

 

The complex relationship between obesity and alcohol consumption
Many people are unaware of how many calories are contained in alcoholic drinks and often fail to include them in their assessment of daily calorie consumption, according to a recent review.

 

The cost of unhealthy lifestyles to the NHS
Ill health caused by poor diet costs the NHS an estimated £5.8 billion a year, according to a recent study. Researchers also looked at the cost of other risk factors associated with chronic disease, including overweight and obesity, alcohol, smoking and physical inactivity.

 

Children choose healthier lunches
Findings from a new survey suggest primary school children’s consumption of vegetables and salad in their school lunches has increased by 15 per cent, while consumption of ‘junk food’ has fallen by seven per cent.

 

Just 1 in 7 UK adults trying to lose weight
A new briefing paper from the National Obesity Observatory suggests only one in seven UK adults is currently trying to lose weight despite around 61 per cent of UK adults being overweight.

 

A third of cancer patients unaware of true cancer risks
Findings of a new study suggest only a third of recently diagnosed cancer patients in the UK are aware that weight, diet and physical activity impact on risk of the disease.

 

Results from the WCRF UK 2011 health professionals survey
A total of 310 health professionals took part in our spring 2011 Informed reader survey, including dietitians, nutritionists, practice nurses, GPs and health trainers. We highlight some of the key findings.

 

Healthy eating and activity for pre-school children
Findings of a new study suggest that programmes designed to support early childhood professionals in promoting healthy eating and activity among children in their care could improve fundamental movement skills and lunchbox drink choices.

 

Physical fitness may protect health in men working long hours
Findings of a new study suggest that men who work long hours should be physically fit to protect their health. The study, which looked at death from ischaemic heart disease, followed 4943 men over 30 years and found that men who were unfit and worked 45 hours a week or more had the highest risk.