About a million people in England put themselves at risk of dying early because they are overweight and combine drink too much and smokingrevealed that research has revealed.
The “triple threat” disproportionately increases their risk of diseases, including cancer, heart disease,, strokeType-2 diabetes,, liver disease And mental health problems, warn experts.
A doctor said the combination could reduce 20 years of someone’s life.
Analysis of a health survey for England by caritative action on smoking and health (ASH) revealed that 22% of adults in England – at least 10 million people – have two or more of the three risk factors.
About 2% – one million adults – are in the three categories.
Public health experts warned two years ago This high level of obesityexcessive drink And health inequalities cost the economy 15 billion pounds sterling per year.
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, president of alcohol Health Alliance, said that each of the three habits included a risk, but when it is combined, the danger is exaggerated.
“These poor health results are not only avoidable, but they also give enormous and growing pressure on the NHS and our economy,” he said.
“We urgently need an assessment of the development of public health policies which attack these problems together, rather than in isolation, if we want to see the essential government of disease to prevention.”
The combined effects of smoking, alcohol consumption and overweight are often greater than the sum of individual risks, have shown studies.
The new 2021 data analysis also revealed that:
● 5.9 million people (13% of adults) have overweight factors or obesity and drink
● 2.5 million (6% of adults) are overweight or obese and smoke
● 0.6 million (1% of adults) drink and smoke without overcoming
Professor Gilmore, former president of the Royal College of Physicians, said The guardian It was likely that smoking, obesity of third year and excessive alcohol consumption would reduce life expectancy of at least 20 years.
Katharine Jenner, Director of Obesity Health Alliance, said: “These are not individual behavior problems, but behavioral or tactical problems of the industry.
“Behind statistics on smoking, alcohol and diseases related to unhealthy food are several million pound industries that operate darkly and similar – produce, market and sell products that affect our well -being.
“The government will not be able to respect its ambition to move from prevention to treatment until it recognizes it.”
Caroline Cerny, ASH’s deputy director general, said the next government’s next plan in 10 years was an opportunity to “firmly seize the causes of poor health that shorten people’s lives and enormous pressure on the NHS”.
It called for targets to reduce smoking, alcohol consumption and excess weight, introducing minimum alcohol pricing in England and extending the sugar tax.
Secretary of health Wes Street is next week which has unveiled its 10-year plan for the NHS, aimed at combating inequalities through fundamental reforms and measures such as the sending of door-to-door health workers.
People will be Invited to monitor their own health with technology such as smart watches which monitor blood pressure and glucose.
THE Department of Health and Social Care was approached to comment but a spokesman said The guardian Ministers have undertaken to combat obesity thanks to the prohibition on the advertising of junk food on television before 9 p.m. and a new planned food strategy.
They have also been implemented by 310 million additional sterling pounds, while tobacco and vapes charge the sale of cigarettes.