Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Diet and Physical Health

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There are growing concerns about the burden of disease as a result of unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. A significant proportion of our population takes too little exercise and many people’s diets are unbalanced with, for example, too much fat, sugar and alcohol. This in turn contributes to high and rising levels of obesity and an increase in avoidable illness and health inequality. Poor diet and physical inactivity cause 310,000 to 580,000 deaths per year and are major contributors to disabilities that result from diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, and stroke. Obesity is a risk factor for several chronic diseases, the economic and social consequences of this obesity epidemic could be overwhelming. While many factors have contributed to the obesity epidemic, prevention efforts should focus on helping people reduce their calorie intake and increase their physical activity.