I must admit I have very strong views on health, diet (i.e what you eat 365 days a year, not some fad weight loss idea) and obesity. I will keep them mostly to myself as they'd likely get me banned :evil:
All I will say is the vast majority of people would benefit by reading some real literature on food, (not cookbooks!) studies on related diseases etc, and even better understand why you eat what you eat and what the implications for eating this way are. Since the 1940's big business, governments and £££ agendas have had more than a guiding hand in defining to your grandparents, your parents and even you from childhood what you should eat, how much of it, and the 'benefits' of eating / drinking what they say. Indoctrinating generations on the virtues of milk, calcium and strong bones/teeth. How protein from meat is better than protein from vegetables, legumes and nuts. How fats are bad but carbs are ok. How carbs are bad but fat is ok. Food pyramids.
The 1992 food pyramid, with the main group being high energy refined carbs. Dairy even gets its own, government approved section.
There are many very well written, peer reviewed and (seemingly) agenda-less books covering this topic that should help get people thinking. Some very good examples below;
The China Study: http://www.amazon.co.uk/China-Study-Comprehensive-Nutrition-Implications/dp/1932100660/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419028185&sr=1-1&keywords=%27the+china+study%27
Whole: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whole-Colin-T-Campbell/dp/1939529840/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=03FV1RA3V5CP2P1BNF6S
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prevent-Reverse-Heart-Disease-Nutrition-Based/dp/1583333002/ref=pd_sim_b_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=03FV1RA3V5CP2P1BNF6S
The Engine 2 Diet: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Engine-Diet-Firefighters-Save-Your-Life/dp/0446506699/ref=pd_sim_b_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0RR3J00VM19CE7AAQ3EN
Forks over Knives: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forks-Over-Knives-Gene-Stone/dp/1615190457/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_z
Nothing is more important in promoting health than the food you eat. There are so many proven links between food and disease, yet instant gratification, price point and most ignorance (is bliss) mean most people don't even want to listen to the facts and are happy eating what they like when they like.
Studies suggest around 65% of the human population is lactose intolerant / has a reduced ability to digest the lactose leading to a number of side effects and discomforts. But do most people eat dairy in every meal? Yes. Honestly its in damn near everything. Look at the labels on most any foods, prepared meals etc and its likely to have some form of dairy product in it. Good for the dairy business though :roll:
People need to be accountable for themselves. The population is getting sicker, and fatter, regardless which came first the cost to the NHS and therefore the population is going to continue to increase. I for one don't see why the rising costs for self-inflicted health issues should be footed by everyone.
Private healthcare is a better model than universal healthcare for healthy people in an unhealthy society.
Universal healthcare is a better model than private healthcare for unhealthy people that would not be able to get private cover due to smoking, drinking, drugs, obesity etc.
In the UK, 67% of men and 57% of women are either overweight or obese, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. (source: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/29/uk-western-europe-obesity-study)
When the majority of a population are unhealthy, universal healthcare will run out of money, as it has, and become unsustainable.
If people want to smoke, do drugs or gorge themselves on deep fried Mars bars until they get a blue badge and a mobility scooter, go to town, indulge, enjoy yourself if that's what makes you tick. But why should anyone else have to pay for your treatment?