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Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle factors play a significant role in the development of
heart disease. The contribution of smoking, poor diet, obesity
and physical inactivity to CHD is well known and it is estimated
that more than 50% of the reduction in CHD deaths nationally over
the past decade is due to improvements in lifestyle factors.
Currently, detailed lifestyle information for our residents is
not available. A Wirral-wide lifestyle survey is, however, underway
and the findings will provide us with up-to-date data on smoking
rates, physical activity and dietary habits. This information
will then be used to target health promotion and primary prevention
interventions where there is the greatest need. In the meantime,
data from the Health Survey for England can provide some information
on relevant lifestyle factors.
Smoking
The overall prevalence of smoking in England is currently estimated
at 28%. This increases markedly in both men and women from Social
Class I (least deprived) to Social Class V (most deprived). In
Wirral, around 26% of the population smoke (approximately 67,000
people). Smoking levels across Wirral correlate closely with deprivation
and CHD death rates in that the most deprived wards also have
the highest proportion of smokers. Indeed, several of the most
deprived wards have twice the smoking rates of the least deprived.
Data from the Wirral Smoking Cessation Service indicate that between
April 2000 and March 2001, 1416 smokers set a quit date. Over
50% of these were validated as non-smoking at four weeks. The
majority of referrals were made by General Practitioners (GPs)
and the two most deprived PCGs, Birkenhead and Wallasey, are responsible
for almost 80% of the activity to date. Although the Smoking Cessation
Service provides a valuable role, it is unlikely to be able to
help more than a relatively small proportion of smokers on Wirral.
For this reason, a comprehensive approach to tackling smoking
is required that targets smoking prevention as well as cessation.
This could include the development, with partner organisations
across Wirral, of a local tobacco policy to address smoking in
public places and at work; advertising; and sales to children.
Targeting our efforts at those areas with the highest proportion
of smokers is likely to reap the most benefits (see figure 7).
Figure 7. Map showing prevalence of smoking across Wirral, by
ward
Physical activity
The results from a recent survey involving the Wirral Citizen's
Panel, indicate a population that is fairly inactive. The main
form of physical activity reported by respondents was walking
and lack of time appeared to be the main reason for not being
more active. One solution would be to introduce programmes that
help individuals incorporate physical activity into their daily
lives. Such initiatives should also include appropriate transport
policies and encouraging people to cycle or walk to work, for
example.
Diet and overweight
The level of obesity has been increasing in England for both men
and women for some time. Data from the Health Survey for England
show that the prevalence is higher in women (18%) than men (15%).
In Wirral, however, obesity was higher in males (18%) than females
(14%). Recent research has also demonstrated that overweight and
obesity are increasing in young children living in Wirral. This
is a particular cause for concern. The need to ensure that healthy
foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables are readily available
and affordable, especially in more deprived areas is, therefore,
essential.
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