Addressing Health Inequalities

This report discusses the factors contributing to obesity as a major public health issue in South Yorkshire and the UK, challenges for effective intervention, and strategies to address health inequalities associated with obesity. It also explores the national level factors leading to obesity, critical analysis, and reflections on the role of healthcare professionals in promoting awareness and preventive measures.

ADDRESSING HEALTH
INEQUALITIES

TABLE OF CONTENT
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
PART 2............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
M1: Factors contributing public health issues in ........................................................................1
M2: Reviewing challenges for enabling effective public health intervention ............................1
M3: Analysing effectiveness of health protection strategies ......................................................2
D1: Contribution of factors leading to development of obesity at national level .......................2
D2: Critically analysis..................................................................................................................3
D3: Reflective..............................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................5

PART 1
Enclosed in PPT
PART 2
INTRODUCTION
Health inequality is defined as the inequalities or variations in the distribution of health
determinants and status among various population groups. Obesity is among major public health
issue in South Yorkshire as well as in entire UK. There are several factors which makes this
public health issue very critical. This part of the report will analyse the elements which
contribute for increasing obesity among people. It will also discuss the various challenges and
obesity prevention strategies for addressing the health inequalities associated with obesity.
M1: Factors contributing public health issues
In Sheffield borough of South Yorkshire (England) the child obesity is one of the most
concerning health issue (Child obesity hits the highest ever level in Sheffield, 2018). The key
factors which contributes to the obesity in the region is lack of education and unhealthy calorie
intake. The food consumption pattern outside house is rapidly increasing the obesity in the local
region. Most of the school children are not able to distinguish between the calorie intake, sugar
levels of various foods and nutritional comparison of the food items they consume. It results in
the excessive calorie intake which causes only fat deposition. The education level and the
income level of the families are also major factors responsible for the public health issue in the
local region.
The families which are often living with the poor economic condition fails to afford the
nutritional food and thus they tend to consume high calorie junk food. It has been also observed
that the families which are capable to afford the outside food or which do not pay attention to the
growth and needs of children encourage the instant junk food (Ahern and et.al., 2016). The
schools at South Yorkshire does not pay serious attention to the weight management of school
children and thus the higher percentage of obesity exist among children in the local region. Thus
lack of awareness, inefficient health policies and income level of families the prime factors
contributing obesity in South Yorkshire.
M2: Reviewing challenges for enabling effective public health intervention
For the successful application of intervention related to obesity the foremost challenge
which must be addressed by the UK government is the behavioural interventions. The key factor
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leading to obesity is that public do not take obesity as a serious matter of concern or disease.
Thus, for the health professional and authorities it can be challenging convincing and to create
awareness among people so that they can adopt healthy food habits and their physical activities
can be increased. Many social groups are not able to access the healthy food or healthcare
services in their nearby region. Thus, government must assure that food items have clear
information regarding calorie and sugar levels so that people can decide at their own regarding
harmful effects of junk foods (Ells and et.al., 2018).
It can be challenging seeking support from the young generation and school children to
shift from fat rich food to nutritional diet. Many students and families are not capable to afford
the proper and healthy diet schedules thus for meeting the obesity control goals, healthcare
systems must assure that people can easily access the weight management counselling and
suggestions. Another critical challenge for addressing health inequalities related to obesity is to
compete with the processed food which is easily available at low cost at every place. Thus, local
authorities must search for the suitable and healthy replacements for junk food which are
accessible to all at reasonable prices.
M3: Analysing effectiveness of health protection strategies
South Yorkshire has been employing several strategies for the prevention of obesity. For
this purpose, strategies are being implemented from the school level. In primary schools, weight
management systems are implemented and weight of students is regularly monitored so that their
weight can be controlled. Local authorities are engaging with adults so that their physical
activities can be increased. For ensuring the proper food and calorie intake, there have been strict
regulations related to processed food (Viner and et.al., 2018). The integration of schools with
health care authorities has proven to be a crucial step in creating awareness from childhood. For
protecting obesity among adults, health care professionals are giving suitable guidance to people
regarding weight management, diet control and other relevant measurements through which they
can manage their weight. The contribution of health professional in timely identification of
obesity also reduces the critical outcomes of obesity such as diabetes or cancer.
D1: Contribution of factors leading to the development of obesity at national level
Contrary to South Yorkshire, at the national level along with the child obesity, adult
obesity is also quite common and concerning aspects. At national level, effective obesity
management strategies and awareness programs are supported by the government for the disease
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management. However, at national level along with the food consumption pattern, there are
several reasons which cause obesity. The lack of physical activities is the another biggest
rationale for increasing obesity among the population (Witten, 2016.). It has been also observed
that most of the people are unaware that they are overweight or obese. Due to the social stigmas
related to obesity most of the affected people do not accept the fact that they are obese or need
medical attention.
The variation in the income level prevents people from accessing the nutritional food or
the consultation services from health care. The lifestyle plays a significant role in the
management of obesity. There are very few people who pay attention to their calorie and
nutritional intake. Along with this, the limited physical activities by social groups make them
more vulnerable to obesity (Thompson and et.al., 2017). It has been also analysed that use of
certain types of medicines or treatments can also enhance the weight of people. Thus, some
specific medications and health conditions are also responsible for increasing the weight of the
people.
D2: Critically analysis
It has been demonstrated that public heath is an important aspect that must be considered
in making the public understand the significance of health at both personal and professional
levels. The social inclusion is a necessary tool to bring effectiveness and assessment in
informing the policy makers to assess it for gaining knowledge about the health implications.
There are several types of interventions such as primary, the community or government based
interventions and more (Brownson and et.al., 2017). These are applicable when the interventions
and its types are properly executed on the basis of health protection strategies for overcoming the
barriers and challenges of public health issue like obesity.
Along with obesity, it is understandable that in reducing health inequalities,
professionals have an important role in maintaining preventive measures. Their roles and
responsibilities are significant in underpinning the primary interventions which focus on bringing
awareness through imparting education and taking sessions to realise them ill effects of obesity
and the importance of body mass index (BMI). Additionally, the highlighted part is to adopt
strategies at both local and national levels to make policies and nationwide programs more
prominent in an individual's life. Whereas, the weight management systems has also helped the
professional but it posed as an issue on the minds of children and adults with low self esteem.
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The consequences also led to a negative image of themselves in their own eyes which led to
feeling of isolation, depression and other such negative feeling.
D3: Reflective
On professional levels, I have realised the need to spread awareness among the public
about prevention and spread of disease in the local Community like South Yorkshire. I have an
integral part in promoting the awareness regarding the personal hygiene and hand washing
habits. In regard to the above, I also gained knowledge about the lack of responsibility and
awareness on surroundings and onset of disease. People lack the common sense in adopting the
intervention programs in order to make their lifestyle better and proficient. They come to us for
any query or check up, but do not take an initiative in understanding the root causes which makes
our job difficult. Moreover, the focus is on making them realise the health protection strategies
which are free and do not need any specific equipment or policy. Thus, I have always tried to
suggest and educate my patients in taking such programs to gain benefits.
Consequently, I took classes on community levels and visit the centres and schools to
meet with the targeted population by giving them training on the need of gaining complete
knowledge about disease, its spread and preventive measures. This also helped me in gaining my
patients trust and confidence. Later they easily approach me for any suggestions or addressing
the queries. Thus, I feel as an individual and professional working in this sector that it is my
moral duty to provide my patients with complete information regarding health issues and
preventive measures or policies related to it.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above discussion that public health issues cannot be
managed without integration of public support, healthcare professionals and authorities. Thus,
for achieving the public health goals along with the suitable healthcare interventions social
considerations and other inequality causing factors must also be analysed and resolved.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ahern, A.L. and et.al., 2016. Inequalities in the uptake of weight management interventions in a
pragmatic trial: an observational study in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 66(645).
pp.e258-e263.
Brownson, R.C. and et.al., 2017. Evidence-based public health. Oxford University Press.
Ells, L. and et.al., 2018. A mixed method evaluation of adult tier 2 lifestyle weight management
service provision across a county in Northern England. Clinical obesity. 8(3). pp.191-
202.
Thompson, L. and et.al., 2017. Let’s talk about weight: a step-by-step guide to conversations
about weight management with children and families for health and care professionals.
Viner, R.M. and et.al., 2018. Burden of child and adolescent obesity on health services in
England. Archives of disease in childhood. 103(3). pp.247-254.
Witten, K., 2016. Geographies of obesity: environmental understandings of the obesity
epidemic. Routledge.
Online
Child obesity hits the highest ever level in Sheffield. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through
<https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/child-obesity-hits-highest-ever-level-in-sheffield-1-
8964233>
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