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It's time unhealthy Father Christmas cut down on the mince pies and sherry, warns leading GP

Santa should probably be paying a bit more attention to his health, the nation’s leading GP has warned, with centuries of mince pie eating and sherry drinking leaving him at risk of a range of health problems.

Lyme disease, gout and sleep deprivation are just a few of the health problems plaguing Saint Nick, who may also suffer from alcoholism and work stress, said Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, head of the Royal College of GPs.

And we’re not helping by leaving out mince pies each year, she said.

“He’s overweight and all of us do our bit to add to his obesity by leaving mince pies and cookies for him and milk or alcohol,” she said. “He may have gout, he may have alcoholism – there’s a real bit of binge drinking going on.

“There are also issues with sleep deprivation, work stress, his mental health. Lyme disease is another potential one as reindeer can carry ticks.”

<em>Warning – Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, the nation’s leading GP, has warned that Father Christmas could be facing a whole range of health problems (Pictures: PA)</em>
Warning – Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, the nation’s leading GP, has warned that Father Christmas could be facing a whole range of health problems (Pictures: PA)

With a whole range of potential health problems, Father Christmas might have to swap the mince pies for a healthier diet and ditch his sleigh in favour of a bit of exercise, Prof Stokes-Lampard said.

“Although he sets a brilliant example of good behaviour and teaches the importance of giving rather than receiving, he could probably do more to encourage healthy lifestyles – something youngsters and adults alike can benefit from.

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“If Mr Claus was a patient at my practice, I would be encouraging him to adopt a vastly healthier diet and take more exercise in the new year.

“I’d also be keen to address his binge drinking, something which many people – perhaps even unknowingly – tend to do while celebrating Christmas.”

<em>Healthier lifestyle – Santa would be encouraged to ditch the mince pies and the sleigh and instead eat more healthily and get more exercise</em>
Healthier lifestyle – Santa would be encouraged to ditch the mince pies and the sleigh and instead eat more healthily and get more exercise

She added: “The human body can only process one unit of alcohol per hour, which means excessive consumption could make Santa drunk very quickly. This not only increases the likelihood of him slipping in the snow or mixing up important presents, but could also lead to long-term issues affecting his mood and mental health.

“In the meantime, I would recommend that Santa gives the sherry a miss this year – and maybe asks Rudolph if he can share his carrots.”