I read a report today in the newspaper that the UK is one of the most obese countries in Europe and quite high on the world table too which is an embarressment quite frankly.

This does not really surprise me and being a man with extra pounds and bumps its easy to find reasoning to back this up.

Its all to do with our changing values, ever changing culture and community structure.

The weather here plays a big part in its influence on how we react to it. For example. Our cafes and bars rarely have room for outside sitting and table service and very few areas offer communal gathering spots to socialise and keep an eye on the needy. This is mainly to do with the image that its too wet and cold to sit out. We do have things like jumpers you know. Or turn down your heating at home and work and acclimatise to healthier conditions.

Where there are parks and places of recreation they are so often overcrowded, poorly maintained or taken over by thugs. Its little wonder folk keep their kids away and shut themselves in their tiny little boxes where the computer and gaming machines rule and keep the family quiet.

Any trip to the supermarket will see fresh fruit and vegetables with a much higher price tag than the fast food convenience and ready made meals. Oh and the younger generation are way to unprepared and ignorant to prepare themselves a meal. Takeaways and pre-packed foods are their staple with fizzy drinks to accompany. Why don’t schools and parents offer more education and hands on teaching to ensure a better self-sufficient future?

Gym memberships are extortionately expensive and swimming pools are so often inaccessible due to the demands of schools hogging the daytime slots. If its that important surely there should be public baths and a separate school one. But why are we forced into these artificial grind shops? Well its probably due to the fact that jogging, cycling, walking and swimming are so limited in places to go or are downright bloody dangerous. Take the average country or town road. Cars have become bigger, faster and more abundant but the roads have not adapted to accommodate this. So cyclists and other road users have been branded a menace and have been the victim and cause of death and injury. Wider or separate lanes should have been put in place but no the councils waste their money of idiotic signage and stupid planning.

Add all this to the fact that so many of us work miles away from where we actually live and treat our homes as glorified dormitories its is hardly surprising that so few know their immediate neighbours let alone their community so once again these sad folk (who are only interested in chasing the Dollar) go from sitting in their cars, often in gridlock states, to being stuck behind a desk and eating snacks from a machine. Then the process is repeated and they come home to a meal but also a bottle of wine to numb the pain of their existence.  Then the weekend is spent shopping, eating out and more driving. The very few will spend an hour or so going for a walk and think that is more than enough to make up for their lack of exercise throughout the week. The more unfit they become the harder it is to get out.

When I have visited parts of Europe more emphasis is put on social interaction, family gatherings and relaxing in cafes and bars without the binge, excess attitude we find here. Roads are divided away from paths and cycle ways, towns are freed from too much overcrowding and access to the countryside is easy. It also appears that the work/leisure balance is far better and healthier than here in the UK

Foods are healthier and homes bigger.

The UK must change its approach or run the risk of widespread ill-health due to weight gain.