Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic - London

Summary
Nutrition, exercise and obesity can all have an impact on the health of adolescents and contribute
to adult susceptibility to disease. These factors, particularly obesity, can also influence psychological
wellbeing.
Adolescents in the UK are not eating optimal diets. Girls in particular fail to meet recommendations
for exercise. As a result, in common with the rest of the population, overweight and obesity is
increasingly prevalent among adolescents. There are socio-economic gradients in adolescent
dietary habits and physical activity.
The government is increasingly concerned with interventions in adolescent nutrition, exercise and
obesity. Across the UK, measures are being introduced to educate young people about nutrition and
increase access to healthy food. The forthcoming National Service Framework for Children will
address the issues of obesity and exercise.
Obesity is difficult to treat. Multidisciplinary teams may be able to help reduce weight and promote
healthy habits among adolescents. Early intervention in children’s lives is however, crucial for the
promotion of good nutrition and exercise. Teaching parents, including adolescents, the importance
of good early nutrition may be an effective way of promoting the health of future generations.
Despite some evidence that school-based education can be effective in promoting better nutrition
and exercise, there have been calls for an approach which addresses the structural and
environmental causes of poor nutrition, inactivity and obesity. These include enhancing the
opportunities for physical activity, increasing access to healthy foods and even limiting exposure to
unhealthy food.
British Medical Association Adolescent health 13