Obesidad en Reino Unido: Causas, Consecuencias y Soluciones para la Salud Pública

Reading Comprehension: Obesity in Britain

Exercise 1

1: The main health problem that affects British people nowadays is obesity. The number of overweight people is increasing steadily and the authorities are getting worried about it. This is caused by the excessive amount of junk food and sugar content eaten by the population and the lack of exercise. Unfortunately, obesity can develop diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Exercise 2

2: 1) True. When Mathew insists on buying the two packets of cereals with free toys inside, his mother puts them into the trolley. 2) False. She also finds it difficult to make the other two eat something without sugar content. 3) True. For the first time in a hundred years, life expectancy will go down due to a deterioration in public health. 4) True. A century ago, two thirds of the British population suffered from lack of nutrition. 5) False. Diabetes was almost unknown one century ago.

Exercise 3

3: 1) trolley 2) avoid 3) junk food 4) overweight 5) portion

Exercise 4

4: 1) Mathew asked his mother insistently to buy two packets of cereals with free toys inside. 2) If you haven't got time, you can't read the small print. 3) In the early twentieth century, there wasn't such a dramatic deterioration in public health. 4) Thousands of Britons will be left with disabilities caused by junk food and inactivity.

Exercise 5: Essay on Obesity

5: Obesity is definitely one of the most widespread diseases of our time. Moreover, it brings about other illnesses such as diabetes and heart problems. Therefore, it is not only a matter of physical appearance but also a health issue.

The health authorities could take several measures in order to stop this disease or reduce the number of people affected by it. First, mass media and schools should be used to inform people about the risks of being overweight and the negative effects it has on any person. Then, food producers should be forced to specify clearly the fat and sugar contents of their products, especially in the case of fast food, snacks and sugary drinks.

Probably, it would take some time to raise awareness about the negative effects of some kinds of food. However, through education and clear information on the issue, many people would think of improving their eating habits little by little.