COVID-19 has affected the whole country; for almost everyone, life has had to fundamentally change. But it has also prompted many people to reflect and think more seriously about their health. What’s more, people have been surprised by how able they have been to change their behaviour, with lockdown showing many that they are able to make and sustain changes to their lives.

The Better Health campaign will kick off by supporting individuals on their weight loss journey, but later down the line, the programme will also provide advice and support for quitting smoking, drinking less and looking after your mental health.

Nearly two thirds (63%) of adults in the UK are overweight or living with obesity. Gaining weight is often a gradual process that takes place over a number of years and modern life doesn’t always make it easy. This extra weight causes pressure to build up around vital organs, making it harder for the body to fight against diseases like cancer, heart disease and now COVID-19.

By reducing your weight within a healthy range, you can help cut your risk of being critically ill with COVID-19. To improve health and wellbeing, individuals should aim to have a BMI below 25 and above 18.52. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) should aim to have a BMI below 23 and above 18.5 to avoid risks to health

We collected NHS resources to help you on the journey.

Starting out on your journey: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/start-the-nhs-weight-loss-plan/

Alongside the free NHS 12-week plan, PHE is also working with a number of well-known weight management providers that will be offering exclusive discounts across their weight loss programmes. Partners include, WW Weight Watchers reimagined, Slimming World and Get Slim, get healthy. For full details of these offers and to find out about other Better Health partners, please visit (https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/).

Better Health Radio by Karen

Better Health Radio by Martin

 

NHS 12-week Weight Loss Plan: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/start-the-nhs-weight-loss-plan/

The practice will support the first 10 patients who send us an email by posting a print-out version of the plan. Please address your email to the Practice Manager, mention NHS 12-week Weight Loss Plan. Provide your full name and date of birth so we can confirm you are our patient. You will also need to confirm your postal address.

12 tips on how to lose weight: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/12-tips-to-help-you-lose-weight/

Get Running: Couch to 5k https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/

Couch to 5K+ podcasts: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/couch-to-5k-plus-running-podcasts/

Strenght and Flexibility Exercise Plan: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-and-flex-exercise-plan/

NHS Calorie Checker: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/calorie-checker/

Non-food rewards: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/non-food-rewards-for-losing-weight-on-the-plan/

Sign up to weightloss support via email: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/sign-up-for-weight-loss-email-support/