Lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and exercising have been shown to have a positive impact on cholesterol levels, while increasing longevity and improving quality of life. They may also lower the risk of chronic diseases including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and some cancers.
In England alone, nearly a quarter of men and women are now obese. The trends for children are even more cause for concern, with 18 per cent of two to 15 year-olds currently obese and a further 14 per cent overweight.
In addition, coronary heart disease (CHD) remains one of the most common causes of premature death, although mortality rates have begun to fall in the UK. Raised lipid levels are a known risk factor and it is estimated that approximately 80 per cent of UK adults have raised total cholesterol (TC).
Instead of the increasing negative health messages that patients receive, primary care professionals should try to promote small, achievable dietary changes in order to help patients move towards a healthier dietary pattern. It is indeed crucial that GPs and nurses don't lose sight of the importance of lifestyle in preventing disease.
Healthcare Republic has put together this resource centre for primary care professionals to provide information, key resources and tools necessary to prevent obesity and promote healthy lifestyles.
- News
Statins to receive safety guidance 25-July-08
Can oily fish prevent eye disease? - 19 June-08
Weight gain boost for diabetic health - 13 June-08
GPs set to defy NICE over cholesterol - 6 June-08
Statins lower blood pressure as well as cut cholesterol - 15-Apr-08
Unpublished data cast doubt on NICE cholesterol guidance - 01-Feb-08
Anti-obesity drug has no benefit for artery disease - 04-Apr-08
Obesity up despite more exercising - 06-Feb-08
DoH unveils £372 million anti-obesity strategy - 24-Jan-08
More news articles about cholesterol
More news articles about statins
More news articles about stanols
- Clinical
Viewpoint: Use of cholesterol-lowering agents
How low should cholesterol levels be?
Stanols and sterols: spreading the benefits for heart health?
More clinical articles about cholesterol
More clinical articles about statins
More clinical articles about stanols
- Online-only clinical articles
Familial hypercholesterolaemia - diagnosis and management
The risks of hypercholesterolaemia in diabetes
Plant stanols and sterols: a suitable adjunct to statin therapy?
- Sponsored feature articles
The little known heart health risk associated with Menopause
Because Lower is Better: Plant Stanol Ester as a dietary tool to lowering LDL cholesterol
- Other resources
Self help directory - Cardiovascular system
