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)

• Its 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
• Thats 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 dont 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 its scale and the
  drain on resources
• We are good at reacting, putting in referrals to
  OTs, PTs, nurses, care managers, psychologists,
  podiatrists, optometrists, etc ..
• Example

10
Bombs explode quickly

• Warning signs already DVTs, 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 isnt 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 couldnt have a better support network than
  the people here today (please ensure you hand in
  your contact details)
• Good luck