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No TV to beat obesity, ‘ageist’ NHS increases ‘silver trauma’ harm, and overweight children perform worse in school

NICE is prescribing that families tackle obesity by ditching TV several days a week, or limiting viewing for two hours a day, the BBC reports.

The recommendations are part of new recommendations on healthy living which also advocate adopting a Mediterranean diet, and cutting out fizzy, sports and alcoholic drinks.

Prof Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health at NICE, said: We all know we should probably take the stairs rather than the lift, cut down on TV time, eat more healthily and drink less alcohol. But it can be difficult to know the most useful changes’.

The Telegraph says that a leading trauma doctor has accused the NHS of ‘ageism’ in failing to transfer elderly people, who have suffered multiple injuries in accidents or falls, to specialist trauma centres.

Dr Andy Eynon, director of major trauma at Southampton General Hospital, has said the issue of ‘silver trauma’ needs national attention, as figures show 30% of major traumas in over 65s cause result in death.

Dr Enyon says: ‘Nationally we are seeing a series of problems relating to elderly trauma. Many of these patients suffer simple falls and do not activate specialist trauma teams because they are seen simply as frail and put on a traditional treatment path for their age.

And finally, the Daily Mail says that teachers are writing off overweight pupils as lazy after several studies have found that obese children perform worse in school.

Studies have found numerous ways in which childhood obesity affects obesity, including teacher’s attitudes, ‘obesity slowing the development of the brain’ and bullying – which takes a particularly heavy toll on girls.

Anne Martin, a PhD researcher from Edinburgh University analysed 14 studies on obesity and academic attainment and says headteachers should educate on obesity to boost pupils’ grades.


          

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