INTRODUCTION AND KEY MESSAGES
‘Weight Matters’ works across Cornwall supporting population behaviour change related to eating habits and being physically active, in order to attain a healthy weight. Some of the activities Weight Matters are involved in are:-
- Developing toolkits identifying good practice and guidelines to effective lifestyle brief interventions, relating to ‘Healthy Weight’ are offered through brief intervention training.
- Training and resources are provided for health professionals and partner agencies wanting to facilitate weight management groups in the community, workplace and school settings
- Weight Matters Groups are provided in the community, this is a partnership between Weight Matters, Eatsome and LEAP active – providing support and lifestyle skills.
- Individual weight management support is offered through a range of long arm initiatives email WeightMatters@cornwall.nhs.uk or tel 01209 310063
The Importance of Managing Weight
22% of men and 23% of women are now obese while 65% of men and 56% of women – 24million adults –are either overweight or obese. This has an impact on lifestyle and health/well being. Maintaining a healthy weight must be the responsibility of individuals:
”Sustainable change will only come from individuals seeing the link between a healthy weight and a healthy life and so wanting to make changes to the way that they and their families live.” (Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives 2008)
Benefits of Weight Loss
| If someone who is overweight loses between 5-10kg (¾ – 1½ stones) they are likely to; |
A loss of 10kg (1½ stones) or more means: |
- improve back and joint pain
- improve lung function
- reduce breathlessness
- sleep better
- experience social and psychological benefits
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- a reduction of more than 20% in the risk of death from any cause
- a reduction of more than 30% in the risk of dying from a diabetes-related health condition
- a reduction of more than 40% in the risk of dying from obesity related cancer
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Risks that may affect overweight or obese individuals
- breathlessness
- problems with the gall bladder
- aching joints
- and osteoarthritis
- back pain
- sleep difficulties and snoring
- infertility
- sweating
- difficulties in walking and
- low self-esteem and poor body image
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- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Angina
- High blood cholesterol
- Some cancers
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(British Dietetic Association www.bdaweightwise.com/lose/lose_risks.aspx )
Steps to Controlling Your Weight
- Stabilise eating behaviour
Keep a diary of what you eat and cut out unnecessary, unhealthy snacks.
Recognise and stop unhealthy eating behaviours e.g. buying chocolate at the petrol station, keeping a draw full of snacks at work or home.
Have regular nutritious meals and plan ahead.
- Eat a balanced variety of food
As illustrated by the Eatwell Plate (link)
- Monitor how much you eat
Make small changes, limiting portion sizes according to required weight loss.
Aim to lose a realistic amount of weight approx 0.5 – 1kg per week.
Aim for a calorie deficit of 500 Kcals per day.
Be aware that alcoholic drinks can be high in calories.
- Incorporate activity into your life
Helps you feel good and uses up those extra calories.
Aim for 60 mins of brisk walking or an activity that you enjoy that first easily into your daily routine. Try to avoid transport whenever possible.
- Make sustained lifestyle changes
Make small, realistic changes gradually so that everyone gets used to them.
To enable you to maintain these new eat habits try to get the support of family and friends to keep up the changes.
For more information see How to Choose Health Leaflet:- (Click here to download pdf)
Resources for Health Care professionals
From the Department of Health
Why Weight Matters *
For overweight clients who are not ready to think about losing weight
Your Weight your Health: How to take control of your weight*
For those who are ready to think about losing weight
From the British Heart Foundation
So you want to lose weight….. for good*
For those who want to lose weight. it provides information on food portion size
*Recommended by ‘Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Toolkit for Developing Local Strategies
From Weight Concern (tel. 020 7679 6636)
A Self-Help Guide to Managing Your Weight
A thorough manual which is useful to the professional as well as the client.
NHS Key Message web sites
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk (nhs choices)
www.mapofmedicine.com
‘Weight Matters’ Toolkits for Health Care Professionals supporting individuals to manage their weight.
1. Brief Weight Management Intervention Chart pdf link
Guidance on how to ‘Ask and Assist’ in relation to the clients ‘readiness to change’ – use alongside ‘Your Weight, Your Health’ Leaflet pdf link
2. R Plan Toolkit 6 step Brief Intervention Guidance R plan pdf link
A Series of 6 brief interventions which guide clients who are definitely ‘ready to make small changes to their eating and activity habits – use alongside ’Your Weight, Your health’ booklet.
3. Weight Matters 4life Toolkit of Support pdf link
A toolkit referencing examples of good practice when supporting a client over a period of time to make negotiated small changes to their eating and activity habits
Training available (click here)
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