Response to Obesity report by the Health Committee.

Obesity in children has been shown to result in health problems in later life including an increased chance of developing high blood pressure and diabetes, both major risk factors for stroke. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke and it has a greater disability impact than any other condition.

The Stroke Association fully support the call by the Health Committee to introduce a speedy and multifaceted solution to the problem of obesity through education, legislation and improving activity levels across society which is affordable and accessible to all. The theme of this year's Stroke Awareness Week is 'Eat a Rainbow- Beat a Stroke' which aims to highlight that incorporating a variety of fruit and vegetables into your daily diet can reduce the risk of having a stroke. We feel it is vital that organisations help government advocate the importance of healthy living

Notes to editor

1. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

2. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

3. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person

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