David Hughes, Contributor
Jamaica vs Australia
Dr. David Hughes is in Jamaica as the keynote speaker for the Sir Kenneth Standard Distinguish Lecture at the opening ceremony, today, of the University of the West Indies' Faculty of Medical Sciences annual research conference.
THERE ARE many cultural and sporting similarities between the nations of Jamaica and Australia. Culturally, both countries are famous for their relaxed, laid-back attitude to life. Australia and Jamaica portray themselves on the international stage as being very outdoor-oriented societies as result of weather conditions which favour outdoor pursuits and an active lifestyle.
Fat countries
Unfortunately, being a 'sporting nation' is not the same as being a 'healthy nation'. Australians like to consider themselves as sporting giants on the world stage. The Sydney 2000 Olympics provided a showcase of Australian sporting prowess, including sports performance, sports administration and sports medicine expertise. Despite the fact that Australia has the wherewithal to successfully hold such an event, the event has done nothing to turn around the dreadful slide into overweight and obesity for Australians.
Australia now ranks very highly in the world in terms of prevalence of overweight and obesity. Jamaica and other Caribbean countries are similarly experiencing a surge in the number of individuals who are affected by overweight and obesity. Studies from both geographical regions indicate that individuals are exercising less and less, at the same time as gaining easy access to energy-dense processed foods.
Sedentary jobs
Many factors contribute to the decreasing physical activity levels. In both regions there has been a strong population drift from rural to urban areas over the last three decades. A greater proportion of both populations are being employed in sedentary jobs related to information technology and clerical work.
Childhood obesity is escalating at an alarming rate in Australia and Jamaica. Recent studies have shown a direct correlation between obesity and the number of hours spent watching television or playing computer games. Social factors also have a huge impact on childhood obesity with single-parent families showing a strong preponderance towards overweight and obese children.
Living in an obesogenic environment significantly increases the risk of a child becoming obese. It is estimated that obesity prevalence is 20-40 per cent among children with one obese parent and 80 per cent amongst children with two obese parents. This familial association is related to both shared lifestyle and genetic factors.
The consequences of obesity are many and costly. Type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, metabolic syndrome and mental illness are all associated with obesity. The cost to society is enormous. Unless there is a major turnaround by addressing dropping levels of physical activity and by improving the nutrition status of our children, it is estimated that the prevalence of obesity may double by 2025.
It is no longer acceptable for governments and sports medicine specialists to pour time and money into elite sport, while the health of the general population plummets. Any individual who asserts that success on the international sporting stage transfers health benefits to the general population is stating a blatant falsehood. No such correlation exists.
Professionals working in sport and exercise medicine must focus on community-based efforts to improve the well-being of the normal, non-elite individual. Funding must be directed at increasing the physical activity of children and decreasing their consumption of energy-dense foods. It will take a concerted effort over a prolonged period of time if the trends of the last three decades are to be reversed.
Dr. David Hughes is a visiting sports physician from Canberra, Australia; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
