Dave’s Blog

Unhealthy Food Costs the UK Over £260 Billion Annually: Key Insights from “The False Economy of Big Food November 2024” Report

Posted: 18th Nov, 2024 by Dave Lee

The Food, Farming and Countryside Commission recently published the report titled “The False Economy of Big Food November 2024,” which has been widely covered in the media (A few links ae given below). This study highlights several critical issues that emphasise the significant economic and health-related challenges posed by the UK’s current food system, which […]

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Research focus: Exercise after dementia diagnosis linked to lower mortality risk

Posted: 5th Nov, 2024 by Dave Lee

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has delivered promising news for individuals diagnosed with dementia and their families. This extensive research, which followed over 60,000 individuals in South Korea, discovered that maintaining or starting physical activity after a dementia diagnosis can significantly lower the risk of mortality. Although the study […]

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The challenge of inactivity: Implications for Keir Starmer’s preventive health agenda

Posted: 16th Sep, 2024 by Dave Lee

In the UK, the investment in preventive healthcare is relatively small compared to the amount spent on treatment. Currently, about 5% of the NHS budget is allocated to preventive activities, while the majority of the budget is spent on treating illnesses. This disparity highlights the significant potential for cost savings and health improvements if more resources were directed […]

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Debunking exercise myths for older adults

Posted: 6th Aug, 2024 by Liz Lee

Over the years, I have encountered numerous exercise myths about older adults. These misconceptions are often cited by the individuals themselves as barriers to becoming more physically active. Additionally, I have seen these perpetuated in articles and by fitness professionals. By debunking these misunderstandings, older adults can approach fitness with greater confidence and knowledge, ensuring […]

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Digital detox: Reclaiming balance in a screen-heavy world

Posted: 16th Jul, 2024 by Dave Lee

In today’s digital age, screens are an integral part of our daily lives. From smartphones and tablets to computers and televisions, we are constantly surrounded by digital devices. While technology offers numerous benefits, it also poses significant challenges, particularly when it comes to excessive screen time. This is where the concept of a “digital detox” […]

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“You cannot outrun a bad diet” – is this true?

Posted: 18th Jun, 2024 by Dave Lee

Listening to a radio discussion on obesity the other day, one commentator flippantly remarked, “Don’t treat your body like a skip,” while everyone agreed on the adage, “You can’t outrun a bad diet.” This phrase is commonly used, but how accurate is it? After reading several academic and news articles (some are in the links […]

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Understanding and managing health anxiety in the age of the internet

Posted: 3rd Jun, 2024 by Dave Lee

Health anxiety, often categorised within the OCD spectrum, manifests as an obsessional preoccupation with the idea of having or developing a serious physical illness. Those affected might fixate on any type of disease, with cancer being a common example. Individuals with health anxiety frequently convince themselves that harmless physical symptoms indicate severe medical conditions. For […]

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Five ways to wellbeing: The benefits of ‘giving’

Posted: 14th May, 2024 by Dave Lee

In the last newsletter, we introduced the New Economics Foundation’s ‘five ways to wellbeing’, and focused on one of these, ‘Connect’. In this post, we shall focus on another of these pillars; namely, ‘Give’. The ‘five ways to wellbeing’ report by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) presented a set of evidence-based actions aimed at improving […]

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