Obesity Epidemic - Wellness Center

The Issue

 The World health organization classification of a normal weight is a BMI between 18.5 and 25. However the risk of illnesses can be 5-6 times reduced at a BMI of below 21. Potential health risks of obesity include diabetes, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, cancers and physical handicaps such as arthritis. Obesity is the sixth greatest global risk factor to health with more than 2.8 million deaths every year.

There is increasing evidence for a strong individual genetic susceptibility to weight gain. Worsening this effect is that once weight is gained it is tough to loose as our bodies are naturally programmed to store energy. The brain therefore physically resists subsequent slimming attempts.

Causes

Global urbanisation resulted in reduction in the need for strenuous physical work. Job labour, cars and domestic appliances all resulted in decreased activity coupled with increased food intake, which should have decreased to compensate. The hypocrisy of government decision makers on this issue is abundantly clear, being influenced by industrial pressures (wanting us to use/ but cars, to spend money on personal entertainment systems and gadgets) yet emphasising a less sedentary lifestyle and promoting public transport.

Society has changed placing a clear cultural emphasis on food. Biologically speaking we have evolutionary mechanisms with specific taste buds linked to pleasure centres in the brain. These foods (sweeteners and fats) have become the staple components in the industrialised food chain. Thus rendering it completely inappropriate for a predominately sedentary world.

“Human biology has become out of step with the structure of society” (p791, Big Lessons for a Healthy Future, King, D.A. Thomas, S.M. (2007) Nature, 449 (7164): 791-792).

Energy Expenditure – What’s Changed?

Urbanization – the growth of the sprawl, busier traffic, and green areas lost.

Transport – walking/ biking mileage has decreased 26/ 86% respectively.

Security – stranger danger, perception of safety.

Home – smaller gardens and homes, play is less vigorous.

Entertainment – sedentary lifestyles, in 2002 99% owned a TV.

Education – less emphasis on P.E., more exam based.

Time – long working hours in the UK.

Employment – jobs less laborious thanks to technology/ mechanisation.

The Solution

Activities specific to health promotion include: healthy eating habits, body practices and/ or physical activity, prevention and control of smoking, reducing morbidity/ mortality from substance abuse, prevention of traffic accidents, prevention of violence and stimulating a culture of peace and promoting sustainable development.

Few want to embark on projects that seem doomed to failure. The prevailing public attitude is that obesity is brought on by the individual, highlighting personal failings. This fails to acknowledge enormous pressures the modern environment places on families. Such attitudes overlook the cost to individual families the economy and health services of dealing with the social and economic consequences of obesity.

“It is only pragmatic that we do what we can to reduce this waste of economic productivity and of aspiration” (Haby, 2006, A New Approach to Assessing the Health Benefit from Obesity Interventions in Children and Adolescents).

The management of obesity involves a number of steps:

-         Gain recognition that family is obese which is a problem,

-         Have a suitable location that provides appropriate help,

-         Access severity of the problem,

-         Recognise/ investigate underlying problems,

-         Treatment,

-         Develop long-term weight loss and goals,

-         Advise on diet and eating habits,

-         Advise on physical activity and reducing sedentariness,

-         Advise on psychological problems,

-         Encourage regular follow ups,

-         Evaluate effectiveness of program,

-         Use to improve tactics.

Precedents

The effect of terracing where buildings that simultaneously function as ecological landscapes is a valid avenue of research in regards to the health benefits of natural settings. One intriguing precedent employing this theme is included below.

Mario Botta Architetto - Wellness Centre 'Tschuggen Bergoase'

Set in the extraordinary geographic configuration of a natural basin surrounded by mountains. The buildings volume disappears into the earth; only the vegetal/mechanical “trees of light” emerge, marking the recreational and collective character of the structure. The different areas are characterized by their relationship with the environment through the technological trees that guarantee natural lighting, an extraordinary sight towards the landscape and the signs of life at night. The interior space is divided into four levels and the external sauna, solarium and swimming pool are reachable directly from the swimming pools and set on an attractive terracing, dipped into nature. 
 

The Site

Tamworth, Holloway/ Fazeely Road

The site forms an unused and unappreciated natural setting in close proximity to the castle grounds. Surrounded by cycle routes and bus routes allows simple integration into the existing transport infrastructure. Adjacent to the council funded park, which has basic outdoor gym equipment (although woefully inadequate to make any serious impact), it is easily within walking distance.

Wellness Centre Facilities

Many sources outline that much longer one-on-one discussion time is needed with patients. Some develop this conclusion further by suggesting that a specific obesity facility needs to be developed, one that is de-medicalised to encourage attendance.

The biological tendency to store energy and notably the desensitization of our appetite control system means we exert less control and choice over our lifestyle patterns. This element of control is an interesting point of intervention; the proposed building could be another element of control. An antidote to society with it’s own set of rules and regulations, exchange your control to reverse the effects of obesity.

Research gathered thus far demonstrates that by establishing a link with nature either directly or indirectly a positive contribution to mental health and stress levels can be achieved. Exercising in an attractive setting boosts performance and punctuality encouraging the occupants to use the facilities more vigorously. The aims of the design are as follows:

-         Increasing physical activity and making it enjoyable.

-         Increase moderate activity such as walking, which is sustainable long term.

-         Facilitate overweight prevention through encouraging and financially supporting facilities and training for those managing/ preventing obesity.

Specific design interventions include:

-         Carefully tailored spaces and separated environments for children, teenagers and adults for specialized sessions.

-         Playing areas, youth clubs, outdoor pursuits (kayaks/ canoes), jogging circuits.

-         Gym, swimming pool and supporting a range of sports (football, tennis etc), spaces for relaxation.

-         Locally sourced fruit, vegetables and meat on sale (at affordable prices), canteen (providing only healthy meals, water etc).

-         Meeting rooms (for specialist one-on-one advice regarding nutrition, exercise and psychological problems), function rooms (for group exercises).

 Supporting Images: 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/156189359/Site-Images-1