GLOBAL WELLNESS                                           Richard J B Willis

A recent health enquiry concluded with the words, '… I want to have the benefits of good nutrition but I am disinclined to fuss about my food.'  By the same token most people would like the benefits of exercise but are disinclined to do it!  Much like the literary character Sir Nicholas Gimcrack who went around carrying out a series of frog-like swimming motions.  When asked what he was doing he said that he was engaged in speculative swimming which was enough for him since he had no intention of taking to the water!

A Report commissioned by the WHO and Food and Agricultural Organization of the US has once again highlighted that a healthy diet and regular exercise are keys to global wellness.  This advice which is reiterated in just about every Report that comes out is as necessary now as it ever was.  It was estimated that 60 per cent of the world's deaths in the last fully reportable period (2001) were attributed to chronic diseases, many of which could either have been prevented or lessened in severity.

The research conducted by 22 scientists in 10 countries showed that in:

·        obesity

-        increasing exercise along with reducing the intake of fatty and sugary foods can prevent weight gain.  (A recent headline in a UK newspaper suggested that if present trends in young people continue, parents may soon be outliving their children!)

·        diabetes

-        decreasing overweight and obesity would reduce the rates of people with type 2 diabetes and also reduce the risk of other conditions associated with high rates of diabetes

·        cardiovascular diseases

-        unbalanced diets and lack of exercise are major

factors in increasing the risk.  These can therefore be reduced by an exercise programme and the reduction of fats and trans-fats and salt.  Using healthier fats and eating fruits and vegetables

·        cancer

-        whilst there are causes specific to the various forms that cancer takes diet has been shown to be a major factor, and that weight reduction has been linked to a lowering of oesophageal, breast, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney cancers.  It is thought that one in ten cancers (in Western populations) are due to a diet low in or lacking fruit and vegetables.

If the Report appears to be giving the 'same old' advice it's because the 'same old' problems are still there, and, in many instances, with increasing rates.  There will be need for such Reports at regular intervals whilst the world has many in its population without access to fruits and vegetables and whilst the Sir Nicholas Gimcracks among us are engaged in speculative eating and exercise!  Gimcrack said, 'I care not for the Practick.  I seldom bring anything to use; 'tis not my way.  Knowledge is my ultimate end.'  It might be our end too if we are not inclined to change, there is no such thing as speculative wellness.