The habits that keep us fat

When it comes to keeping New Year’s resolutions, small actions can have a big impact

How easy is it for people in particular communities to access healthy food?

Next to giving up smoking and spending less, going on a diet is one of the most popular of all New Year’s resolutions. It is also one of the easiest to break. As our story yesterday noted, the “danger zone” for breaking a diet occurs at 3.30pm, when many give in and have a snack. The statistically-minded among our readers will note that, as of today, there will have been 23 such danger moments thus far in 2017.

Small wonder then that immense willpower is needed to keep going. And yet, as many who have tried and succeeded have realised, eating more healthily relies on more than willpower. It is important to recognise the small habits we all have when it comes to food: the extra sugar in our daily coffee, the extra helping of carbs we have each day at lunchtime, the daily “treat” with dinner. Over time, even over these past three weeks, such small elements add up.

The same is true on a societal level. Small, regular actions add up. A national programme in Finland, now into its sixth year, is running detailed health examinations alongside the management of risk factors through lifestyle counselling, because the country, which has struggled with obesity and diabetes, recognises that the way people live has as much to do with obesity as the food they eat.

Change, then, starts by understanding how the pieces fit together. How easy is it, for example, for people in particular communities to access healthy food? How often do people cook? Where are fast food outlets located? What are the options for exercise as well incidental exercise (taking the stairs, walking across the park)? All of these things can make a significant difference.

For those who have succumbed to temptation these past few weeks, fear not: resolutions do not come but once a year. But instead of simply cutting out certain foods, try to identify when, and even why, you eat them.

The same applies to communities and cities. If it is easier to access unhealthy food than healthy food, more people will be overweight. In that way, the numbers don’t lie.