HEALTH NOTES: Lockdown hit young women the hardest

Women in their 20s and 30s were the worst hit by mental health problems during the coronavirus lockdowns, research has found.

Men over the age of 65 were the least distressed, according to researchers at the University of East Anglia and University of York, who polled more than 8,000 people.

They studied indicators of poor mental health, including inability to concentrate, sleep problems and feelings of depression.

Overall, people in the UK experienced a ‘substantial decrease’ in mental wellbeing.

Women in their 20s and 30s were the worst hit by mental health problems during the coronavirus lockdowns, research has found

Heart lifestyle advice lacking

Half of Britons who are at risk of life-threatening heart disease are not being offered diet and exercise advice by their doctor, according to new research.

An analysis of more than 770,000 patients newly diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity found that their GPs were regularly failing to suggest lifestyle interventions, which are known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.

An analysis of more than 770,000 patients newly diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity found that their GPs were regularly failing to suggest lifestyle interventions, which are known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke and heart failure

More than half of heart disease deaths are related to lifestyle factors, according to a Harvard University study carried out in 2019.

Every year more than 150,000 people die in England as a result of heart disease.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity are all risk factors for the dangerous conditions.

Three-quarters of blind and deaf Britons say they rarely or never receive health information in a format they can understand, according to research published last week.

Deaf patients have experienced a lack of sign- language interpreters at GP appointments, while blind and partially sighted patients say they often receive NHS letters and leaflets they cannot read. 

And 40 per cent of healthcare professionals say they have never, or only once, been trained in treating patients with sight and hearing disabilities. 

Phil Ambler, England county director for the Royal National Institute of Blind People, said: ‘We need action to get patients the information they need in formats they can read.’

One in eight parents now raise their children on a vegan or vegetarian diet, a survey suggests. 

A third of them believed a plant-based diet was healthier, according to the poll of more than 2,000 UK parents. 

A quarter switched for ethical reasons such as animal cruelty and climate change, according to the poll by digital pharmacy Medino. 

In June 2021, a study at University College London concluded that vegan diets in children may improve heart health but could also stunt growth, due to a lack of crucial nutrients like protein, bone-boosting calcium and Vitamin D.

One in eight parents now raise their children on a vegan or vegetarian diet, a survey suggests. A third of them believed a plant-based diet was healthier, according to the poll of more than 2,000 UK parents. [File image]

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