Tuesday 12 June 2012

Sorry "Bureau of Investigative Journalism" we are not getting fatter...

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Some people calling themselves the "Bureau of Investigative Journalism" have fallen at the first hurdle:

Britain is getting fatter.

This is not true.

...the latest figures show that obesity amongst men has fallen to 22% and the female obesity rate has fallen to 24%.

Now let's be clear that there was a dramatic increase in levels of obesity but it is now falling. On almost every measure, rates are falling and have been for at least three years:

The rapid rise in child obesity may be levelling off, according to figures. Experts looked at data forecasting levels of childhood obesity to 2020. Analysis indicated a 17 per cent drop in the forecast number of overweight girls aged two to 11 and a 4 per cent drop in the expected numbers of obese girls of the same age. There was a 5 per cent drop in the forecast number of overweight boys, and a 7 per cent drop in the forecast numbers of obese boys.

And you call yourself investigative journalists - can't you even check a few simple facts?

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2 comments:

Dick Puddlecote said...

That's actually really funny. Their "about" page talks of "high quality" output and they produce a dog's breakfast like that.

If that's what students of journalism have in store for us, we may as well give up on the press for good.

Anonymous said...

The Nursing Times article cited is well out of date and pre-dates the ONS report in any event. The ONS does not support what you say, a selection of representative conclusions are:

“Thirty-eight per cent of adults had a raised waist circumference in 2009 compared to 23% in 1993. Women were more likely then (sic) men (44% and 32% respectively) to have a raised waist circumference (over 88cm for women and over 102 cm for men).”

“There was ... a marked increase in the proportion that were obese, a proportion that has gradually increased over the period examined from 13% in 1993 to 22% in 2009 for men and from 16% to 24% for women.”

“By 2015, the Foresight report estimates that 36% of males and 28% of females (aged between 21 and 60) will be obese. By 2025 it is estimated that 47% of men and 36% of women will be obese.”

Which make your comments fun, but somewhat wide of the mark.

Great following you!

Gerry