Fighting Fit and the bomb

1. Fighting Fit and the bomb The dangers of obesity for learning disabled adults Presented by Mike Craven (Physiotherapist)

2. Rapid rise in obesity levels • 400% rise in the last 25 years • This alone should ring alarm bells • Do any other illnesses compare? • Some people gain 1 stone per year, severely obese in 5 years

3. But too slow to see, or concern us • 1 lb gained per month • 1-2% annual rise in obesity levels • Our perception of what is a healthy weight has changed • Essential that we ‘measure’

4. Effects 80% of the people we support (4 in 5) • Over 80% inactive • About 80% carry too much weight • 2 in 5 (40%) are obese / severely obese • 2 in 3 (65%) obesity in the USA

5. Learning disabled adults are the most obese and inactive • 20% of the general public are obese = a national health crisis • Learning disabled adults carry five times the amount of excess weight • And undertake one fifth of the physical activity • The bomb will hit them first • And maybe Manchester first

6. Continues to get worse • All the trends are upward • Recent audits in Manchester = 60 – 80% obesity levels (not random) • More FF referrals, heavier people • No examples of large scale prevention anywhere • If anything, others are looking to Manchester

7. Even the cause of obesity is disputed (myths, excuses) • “It’s the medications they take” • “The result of the syndromes” • Some medications, and some syndromes, effect some people to some degree • And other causes, screening recommended • But not the cause of the obesity ‘epidemic’

8. “So what, fat and happy” • Over 40 associated physical and mental health problems • Effecting almost every obese person in their thirties • Therefore, the majority of learning disabled adults in Manchester have these problems • That’s where we are at; being teased, back ache, falling over, lethargic • So varied, difficult to link to obesity and inactivity • The bomb has arrived, we just don’t see it

9. “There are other more serious problems” • Quite right – examples • And they are the main causes of premature death at present • The obesity problem relates to it’s scale and the drain on resources • We are good at reacting, putting in referrals to OT’s, PT’s, nurses, care managers, psychologists, podiatrists, optometrists, etc .. • Example

10. Bombs explode quickly • Warning signs already – DVT’s, sleep apnoea, a few related deaths • All the ingredients / risk factors are in place for some of the most disabling and quality of life destroying conditions • Sore knees and feeling down becomes a heart attack and stroke overnight • This is a health and resource disaster waiting to happen • This is what we need to prevent

11. Prevention isn’t easy • 5 x 30 minimum, healthy eating, and all the planning that comes with it • Most people need ‘person centred’ support from staff / carers / families to lead healthy lifestyles • A huge resource demand (whether we prevent obesity or treat consequences) • You are the ones who have influence over staff / carers / families • Research suggests we will need help from mainstream services

12. On a positive note • It can be done, numerous small scale successful examples • Plenty of resources to assist you; information, activity packs, FF steering group (please send a representative to the meetings) • You couldn’t have a better support network than the people here today (please ensure you hand in your contact details) • Good luck