Healthy Living
Healthy Living
Healthy Weight
Being a healthy weight is an important part of protecting your health. It is not a good idea to be overweight or underweight so it is always advisable to keep your weight within a healthy range.
Overweight and Obesity
People who are overweight or obese are at greater risk of developing serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some forms of cancer, osteoarthritis, and respiratory diseases. Health problems associated with obesity are not only physical. Obese adults suffer from more psychological and mental health disorders than non-obese individuals, as well as having lower self esteem and a poorer quality of life. Similarly, these problems are higher amongst obese children and adolescents and these conditions continue into adulthood.
As part of the implementation of the Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives strategy to tackle obesity in the population and as a measure of the healthy growth status of children, each year the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) takes place in schools. Each year, children in Reception Year (ages 4–5 years) and Year 6 (10–11 years) are weighed and measured during the school year. CECPCT uses NCMP data to set and monitor goals to tackle child obesity and to direct services for children to those most in need.
Further information about the NCMP programme can be found at:
• Department of Health - http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Healthyliving/DH_073787
• National Obesity Forum - http://www.noo.org.uk/NCMP
Further information about local, regional and national statistics on obesity:
• NHS Information Centre - http://www.ic.nhs.uk/ncmp
• North West Public Health Observatory - www.nwph.net
Healthy weight loss and control
Losing just a small amount of weight can bring important health benefits. If you are overweight and lose as little as 5 - 10% of your weight it could reduce your blood pressure, risk of diabetes, blood cholesterol levels, reduce the strain imposed on your joints as well as helping towards improving your mood and confidence.
Are you ready to lose weight?
If you want to lose weight and keep it off you have to consider whether you are ready to change certain behaviours that may have contributed to you putting on weight - such as excessive snacking, preference to choose fatty foods over healthy foods and taking part in enough physical activity. Ask yourself ‘is now the right time for me to embark on a weight loss and control plan?’ and ‘do I have the necessary commitment to stick to a healthy dietary
and physical activity plan?’ If you believe you are ready to make this commitment then take time to establish a plan that is right for you.
Where can I get further information and advice around healthy weight?
For children to keep growing healthily into adulthood and for adults to remain healthy into old age, it is important that they eat well and remain active to remain healthy on the inside. Joining the Change4Life movement can help you and your family get started on a path towards a happier, healthier more active life.
Launched on 3 January 2009, Change4Life is a society-wide movement that aims to prevent people from becoming overweight by encouraging them to eat better and move more. We all know it can be hard these days to live a happy, healthy life but Change4Life can help. After all, none of us are perfect. The way we live in modern society means a lot of us, especially our kids, have fallen into unhealthy habits. Even the best of us can make small changes to eat well, move more, and live longer.
To find out more information and ideas on how you and/or your family can make small healthy changes around eating and physical activity habits, or to receive an information pack, join the Change4Life movement by registering on www.nhs.uk/Change4Life or telephone 0300 123 4567.
Other Useful Information Sources
British Dietetic Association - www.bdaweightwise.com
NHS Choices – www.nhs.uk/livewell
Food Standards Agency - www.eatwell.gov.uk
www.getactiveinchesire-warrington.org
