Dave’s Blog

New study reports that middle-aged individuals in England experience the highest levels of loneliness in Europe

Posted: 20th Mar, 2024 by Dave Lee

A recent article published in The Times sheds light on a concerning trend: middle-aged individuals in England are grappling with unprecedented levels of loneliness compared to their European counterparts. Researchers, in their exploration of this phenomenon, specifically examined those aged between 45 and 65, revealing startling insights into the prevalence and underlying causes of midlife […]

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One billion people are now obese worldwide

Posted: 5th Mar, 2024 by Dave Lee

More than 1 billion people worldwide, including 880 million adults and 159 million children, are currently living with obesity, as revealed by a recent report published in The Lancet. This staggering statistic equates to approximately 1 in 8 individuals globally grappling with obesity. Alongside this alarming figure, the report highlights that about 2.5 billion adults […]

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Cognitive distortions and health behaviours

Posted: 14th Feb, 2024 by Dave Lee

Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to an informative programme on Radio 4 that delves into the science of exercise and the perils of inactivity. This episode was the first one in a series of eight, all of which are freely available on BBC Sounds (link below). I wholeheartedly recommend giving them a listen, […]

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How to spot media manipulation

Posted: 6th Feb, 2024 by Dave Lee

Looking through newsfeeds daily is an exercise in critical thinking for me. There is a constant influx of articles with straplines such as “Trust me, I’m a personal trainer” or “I’m a dietitian, listen to me!”. For instance, today’s articles featured numerous headlines such as “Forget weights – build full body strength with this five-move […]

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Are British kids getting shorter?

Posted: 16th Jan, 2024 by Dave Lee

Last week, I tuned in to a radio discussion that revolved around Labour’s strategies aimed at tackling childhood health concerns in the event of a victory in the upcoming general election. In response, the Tories accused them of advocating for a ‘nanny state’. A particular remark from the debates caught my attention, focusing on the […]

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The cost of overweight and obesity now estimated to be £98 billion!

Posted: 12th Dec, 2023 by Dave Lee

The United Kingdom has found itself grappling with a significant and escalating challenge – the rising prevalence of obesity., with far-reaching consequences for both the health of individuals and the economic well-being of the nation. A recent report sheds light on key themes surrounding this issue, emphasising the urgency for a comprehensive and effective response. […]

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CMO annual report: ‘we must adapt for an ageing population’

Posted: 13th Nov, 2023 by Dave Lee

In his annual report, England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, highlights the need to adapt healthcare policies and practices to address the challenges posed by an ageing population. The report underscores the need to improve the quality of life for older citizens, positioning it as a central goal for both policy and medical strategies. […]

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We are living longer, but with major health problems

Posted: 9th Nov, 2023 by Dave Lee

The Health Foundation recently published an article discussing the significant challenges facing the health and care sector in England. This article explores nine significant challenges facing the health and care sector in England. In this post, I will focus on one of these challenges, specifically the fact that people are living longer lives but with […]

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