National Obesity Awareness Week

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Local GPs encouraging residents to prevent obesity

This annual event is taking place between 12 and 18 January 2015. GPs in Wandsworth are encouraging people in the borough to consider looking at the small lifestyle changes they can make to either prevent or address obesity.

People and families in Wandsworth are being invited to join others across the UK to make a national New Year’s resolution to improve the nation’s health and take small steps to live a healthier lifestyle.

Local GP and Chair of NHS Wandsworth CCG Dr Nicola Jones warns that obesity is estimated to affect around one in every four adults and around one in every five children aged 10 to 11 in the UK.

“Obesity can lead to a number of serious and potentially life-threating conditions including type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer. However, small lifestyle changes such as being more physically active, following a healthy, balanced diet and cutting down on sugary snacks can make a difference. Making these small changes can have a huge impact on your health and wellbeing and National Obesity Awareness Week is a great opportunity to look at how we can live healthier lifestyles.”

In Wandsworth, 52% of adults were classified as obese or overweight in 2012, compared to a London average of 57% of adults and an England average of 64%.

Anyone who is concerned about their weight could speak to their practice nurse or GP in the first instance for advice about losing weight safely. They can advise you on the type of diet you should be following and how much exercise you should do.

The best way to treat obesity is to eat a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and to exercise regularly. Being more physically active could involve walking to work or school, or taking up activities such as gardening, fast walking, jogging, swimming or tennis for two and a half to five hours a week.

It is important to avoid situations where you know you could be tempted to overeat while setting realistic goals and involving your friends and family with your attempts to lose weight can also help.

Wandsworth Council offers a range of free services to help residents get more healthy, fit and active.

• Boost - are fun sessions for families with young children centred on physical activity and healthy eating

• New Mum, New You () is a weight loss programme to help new mums get into shape.

• Residents may also be eligible for vouchers for weight loss groups such as Slimming World and Weightwatchers, and people living on Battersea’s Patmore, Savona, York Road and Winstanley Estates could be eligible for free swim or gym membership under the council’s Healthy Estates programme.

• The council’s Active Lifestyles programme is a variety of group exercise sessions to help increase your weekly activity levels and the Walk4life programme is a chance to go on free guided walks in borough parks.

January 8, 2015