People ‘have misconceptions about causes of obesity’

The current obesity problem affecting the UK and other nations may be being exacerbated by a lack of understanding of the factors which cause the condition.

Professor Jonathan Pinkney, expert in the field of obesity at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in Plymouth, has suggested that many patients are underestimating their own weight problems, as well as their calorie consumption.

He suggested there is a "30 per cent systematic underestimation of calorie intake", as well as stating many overweight people are assuming they are of standard weight due to an overall societal trend towards increasing averages.

Moreover, Professor Pinkney raised concern that the effect of physical activity on weight is being overestimated, suggesting that simply standing as opposed to sitting does not provide any significant calorie reduction benefits.

"You're really talking about at least brisk walking, riding, swimming or dancing to really begin to burn serious calories," he explained.

According to data from the NHS Information Centre earlier this year, almost a quarter of adults in England qualified as obese in 2008.