Interview
makes it better or worse. It makes it easier for the doctor if he knows exactly what the problem is. In a way, it’s like the patient helps the doctor with the investigation rather than the patient coming in and having a vague idea of what’s wrong. It saves time.
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When people get moderately fit they look back and think: 'I can't believe how awful I felt a year ago. I'm so pleased I'm in this place.' But it does take time
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Q: What is your biggest health worry and concern for the younger generation? HJ: Mental health. I’m extremely concerned that there is so much use of technology and it’s killing communication amongst young people. I meet a lot of young people who find it difficult to hold eye contact and find it difficult to describe their feelings. Young people who don't have any real friends, only have virtual friends at the end of a phone celebrityangels.co.uk
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or an iPad. The inability to mix with others physically is of real concern. It's fuelling a mental health crisis, fuelling bullying online, lowering self-esteem and pushing individuals to become withdrawn and isolated. I’m horrified at how unfit some of the younger generation are—they’d rather watch sport on TV instead of participating in it. At that age, why would you change to live the life of someone incapable of movement and miss out on the excitement of physical activity? Q: What about for the older generation? HJ: The older generation has lived through quite a lot of hardship in their life. They are better placed to keep things in perspective. They may become isolated and withdrawn through no fault of their own but if you give them the opportunity to communicate, they’re interesting and good at it. They have increasingly complex medical needs as they get older, but these days most of those conditions are fairly manageable. People living into their 90s and later can enjoy a pretty good quality of life right up until the end. Even 20 years ago, people were living with chronic problems and not having a very good time during the last decade of their life. Now they can still enjoy it. That’s something that’s encouraging, but we need to deal with the isolation issue. We need to make sure the elderly are looked after by society, as they deserve to be.
Q: Are there any health-related New Year’s resolutions you think everyone should have? HJ: Definitely. 2018 should be the year people think about what they’re eating. Asking themselves: ‘How much sugar is in this, how much fat is in this, how much nutrition is in this and how much am I drinking? Can I look after myself better by making some better food choices?’ Engaging in new hobbies and pastimes that make them physically more active. Whether it’s getting a dog and walking every day, signing up to a marathon, a day in the garden, or the 3 Peaks Challenge or the great north swim. This is something you can do with friends and have a fantastic time while getting fitter. When people get moderately fit they look back and think: ‘I can’t believe how awful I felt a year ago. I’m so pleased I’m in this place.’ But it does take discipline. Q: In your opinion, what’s the biggest silent killer affecting our nation? HJ: There are a few, but I guess high blood pressure would be one. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia—abnormal blood fats that people won't know about until it’s too late. Obesity and diabetes…of course. There are probably half a million people with undiagnosed diabetes whose health is deteriorating as we speak. There are millions of people with obesity which will cause not just psychological problems but physical Live to 100 with Dr Hilary Jones | 13
13/02/2018 10:11