NEWS CLINICAL
Tabitha Ward RD Tabitha is a Senior Dietitian in Weight Management. She is also a freelance health writer. TabithaWardRD
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WE’RE MOTIVATED TO GET HEALTHIER IN 2021 A new survey from Public Health England (PHE) of more than 5000 adults has found that 80% of people have made the decision to make healthier lifestyle changes this year. The majority of adults (70%) say they are motivated to make these changes as a result of COVID-19. The survey revealed that in 2020, the pandemic led to less healthful behaviours: • 35% of people reported unhealthy snacking at least once a day. • 30% said they were exercising less in the latter half of the year. • 29% of smokers stated they smoked more in the second lockdown. • 23% of drinkers claimed their alcohol intake increased following the second lockdown. Approximately six million adults aged between 40 and 60 now want to eat healthier (40%), lose weight (39%) and exercise more (41%). This is likely to be linked to the evidence showing an increase in intensive care admissions for COVID-19 for those living with obesity, compared with those with a healthy BMI. Dr Alison Tedstone, Chief Nutritionist at Public Health England (PHE), said: “Our survey shows the vast majority of us want to do something positive this year to improve our health and now is a good time for a reset, whether it be eating more healthily, being a healthier weight, getting more active, stopping smoking or doing more to look after our mental health.” View the survey here: www.gov.uk/government/news/seven-in-10-adults-are-motivated-to-get-healthier-in2021-due-to-covid-19. For more on the PHE’s ‘Better Health’ campaign, go to: www.nhs.uk/better-health
HIGH INTAKE OF REFINED GRAINS ASSOCIATED WITH CVD A prospective cohort study published in The British Medical Journal has found an association between intakes of refined grains and adverse health outcomes. The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study was conducted in low-, middle- and high-income countries around the world. The study analysed 137,130 participants in 21 different countries. Researchers used country validated food frequency questionnaires to assess intakes of refined grains, wholegrains and white rice. Results showed that intakes of refined grains and added sugars have increased over the years and having more than seven servings of refined grains per day was associated with a 27% greater risk of early death, 33% greater risk of heart disease and 47% greater risk of stroke. No significant associations were found between intakes of wholegrains or white rice and health outcomes. The study suggests that globally, we should be eating more wholegrain foods and less cereal grains and refined wheat products in order to optimise health outcomes. For full details, visit: https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.m4948
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www.NHDmag.com April 2021 - Issue 162
