With Croydon supposidely the unhealthiest Borough in London, it's not surprising to hear that new cases of diabetes have increased.
How bad the issue is, somehow shocks me though.
The Association of Public Health Observatories has calculated that 15,074 people in Croydon per annum are newly diagnosed with diabetes, which is significantly worse than the English average. Croydon is also sadly afflicted with 378 new cases per annum of obese children.
So far there have been just over 80 UK-wide deaths from swine flu, meanwhile, just in Croydon; right under our noses, the APHO recorded 247 early deaths from heart disease & stroke last year.
15, 000 new cases of Diabetes per year is unacceptable
“These rates of preventable chronic disease are unacceptable in a civilized society, especially when it has been proven that there is a simple, inexpensive, practical solution.” says Yvonne Bishop-Weston a leading UK nutritionist based in Croydon “ a credit crunch is no excuse, Surrey Street market and West Croydon are awash with bargains on fruit and vegetables which can help prevent chronic disease”
5 a Day Cure twice as good
The NHS agrees “Increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. It has been estimated that eating at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day could reduce the risk of deaths from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer by up to 20%.”
Miracle Cure for Diabetes?
Diabetes UK claim “diabetes cannot be cured”. Organisers of the Ecoveggiefayre.co.uk in Croydon and 5 a Day Day campaigners are urging health professionals to come and meet with Peter Gleave. Peter is a 72 year old Motor Cycle enthusiast who in the last 6 months (overseen by Doctors in the UK and Australia) has weaned himself off his maximum levels of drugs for diabetes and high cholesterol. His symptoms of diabetes, deteriorating eyesight, arthritis, gout, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems seem to have all disappeared on a plant based animal fat free diet. He has had all the tests to prove it.
Vegducation Needed
Foods for Life are urging Croydon Council to introduce a 5 a Day Day – a weekly event that focuses on the need for more fruit and vegetables in the diet. They say It’s important that Croydon Council lead by example and spend one 5 a Day Day a week in schools and offices under Council Control. This solution would also fulfil an obligation to reduce our carbon footprint in Croydon as vegetables have a positive rather than a negative impact on carbon emissions created by meat and dairy.
Fruity Fun at Fairfield
5,000 people are expected at Fairfield Halls on Sunday 1st November 2009 for an official launch of the 5 a Day Day campaign at Croydon’s first ever Eco Veggie Fayre and family fun day.
