Proof Of The Pudding
Today was an unusual day. Today I gave evidence to a House of Lords committee investigating the evidence for the effectiveness of weight management programmes, specifically those focusing on behaviour change. Surrounded by the splendour and history of Westminster Palace I took my seat before a panel of nobleman and women. “What”, their lordships and Ladies wanted to know, (and I paraphrase), “what evidence existed for successfully changing the lifestyle habits of the general population to more healthy choices; what works and what doesn’t”. My answer, and the answers of the other two expert witnesses too, was that the evidence for changes at a population level is not great. In the United Kingdom and throughout the world we have yet to learn how to change for the better the lifestyle choices we make, and to reduce levels of overweight.
Many have tried. From Sweden to Switzerland, from Israel to the USA, hundreds of thousands of people have been under the experimental eye. And yet, overall, we haven’t seen any approach which can consistently reduce the level of overweight among the population. The reasons for this are complicated and for another day. However, what I did tell the members of the enquiry was that at an individual level, we do have the evidence.
We have the evidence that motivated individuals, given the right support can, and do lose weight and turn their lives around. The evidence from around the world supports the position that a portion controlled, nutritionally balanced diet, with the right, informed support from people who know, does work. And not just in the short term. The evidence is now clear that those who stay the course, who really change their daily habits for new healthier ones, and maintain increased activity levels, can reach and maintain their goal weight for 5 years and more.
But scientific evidence is one thing. Seeing it put into practice in your own life is quite another. So, maybe now’s the right time for you to start making those evidence based choices and help prove I’m right. As the ancients used to say, “the proof is in the pudding and the eating thereof”. But maybe just a little portion…………
Dr Ian Campbell
Proof Of The Pudding
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By Dr Ian Campbell January 2011
Today was an unusual day. Today I gave evidence to a House of Lords committee investigating the evidence for the effectiveness of weight management programmes, specifically those focusing on behaviour change. Surrounded by the splendour and history of Westminster Palace I took my seat before a panel of nobleman and women. “What”, their lordships and Ladies wanted to know, (and I paraphrase), “what evidence existed for successfully changing the lifestyle habits of the general population to more healthy choices; what works and what doesn’t”. My answer, and the answers of the other two expert witnesses too, was that the evidence for changes at a population level is not great. In the United Kingdom and throughout the world we have yet to learn how to change for the better the lifestyle choices we make, and to reduce levels of overweight.
Many have tried. From Sweden to Switzerland, from Israel to the USA, hundreds of thousands of people have been under the experimental eye. And yet, overall, we haven’t seen any approach which can consistently reduce the level of overweight among the population. The reasons for this are complicated and for another day. However, what I did tell the members of the enquiry was that at an individual level, we do have the evidence.
We have the evidence that motivated individuals, given the right support can, and do lose weight and turn their lives around. The evidence from around the world supports the position that a portion controlled, nutritionally balanced diet, with the right, informed support from people who know, does work. And not just in the short term. The evidence is now clear that those who stay the course, who really change their daily habits for new healthier ones, and maintain increased activity levels, can reach and maintain their goal weight for 5 years and more.
But scientific evidence is one thing. Seeing it put into practice in your own life is quite another. So, maybe now’s the right time for you to start making those evidence based choices and help prove I’m right. As the ancients used to say, “the proof is in the pudding and the eating thereof”. But maybe just a little portion…………
Tags: government, lifestyle change, Physical Activity, portion control, scientific evidence, Support