NHS Norfolk encourages adults to Change4Life!
NHS Norfolk is urging adults across the county to make a Change4Life and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Change4Life, the Government’s healthy living campaign, is encouraging adults aged between 45 and 65 to ‘Swap it Don’t Stop it’ – giving them tips on how to lose weight and feel healthy without giving up all the things they love.
There are a series of suggested ‘swaps’ – plate swap, five a day, up and about, snack swap, fibre swap and drink swap. Suggestions include swapping watching a favourite sport on television for taking part, increasing fibre intake by choosing brown rice over white, or simply swapping bigger plates for smaller ones to choose smaller portions of food.
A new range of television and poster adverts are publicising the campaign.
Lucy Macleod, NHS Norfolk’s Consultant in Public Health, said: “NHS Norfolk has fully supported Change4Life since it began a year ago, and we are pleased to see that it is now widening its message to focus specifically on adults.
“In Norfolk, on average, more than a quarter – 26.85% – of all adults are obese. As the leaders of the local NHS, we continue to work hard to reduce that trend. In today’s 24/7 society, people may want to adopt a healthier lifestyle but think they don’t have time to commit to it, so we are saying to them, make small changes a bit at a time, why not start today?”
Change4Life aims to help families to achieve and maintain a healthier lifestyle by promoting healthy habits that encourage them to eat well, move more and live longer.
In its first year, its focus was young families. The spotlight is now on adults, following new evidence, published recently by the National Heart Forum, which predicts a near 100% rise in diabetes by 2050 unless people take action now.
The independent report states that rising adult obesity will see significant increases in diseases like diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension and stroke.
Lucy added: “NHS Norfolk has signed up to and is developing a number of initiatives to encourage and support people to choose healthier lifestyles, and to enable them to make positive changes which could help them live happier, longer lives, with less risk of chronic, debilitating health conditions.
“The main causes of obesity are known to be a lack of exercise and a high calorie diet, so we are committed to working with our partners to encourage people to become more active and facilitate their move towards healthier diets.”
In its first year NHS staff nationally have ordered more than six million items of Change4Life material.
Lucy added: “Obesity is one of our top public health priorities, identified in Bold and Ambitious – our five-year strategic plan, in Norfolk and we will continue to promote lifestyle change in adults and children.
“There is a very real cost to the NHS as a result of obesity related diseases and conditions. But the cost is much greater to the people who suffer long term illness or even death at a young age because of a lifetime of unhealthy eating habits.”
Initiatives to combat obesity in Norfolk include:
Active Travel Plan:
NHS Norfolk is a partner with Norfolk County Council in promoting the messages of the Active Travel Plan. Over the past 20 to 30 years the biggest drop-off in physical activity levels can be seen by the reduction in children and parents walking to schools.
Healthy Schools:
Healthy Norfolk Schools takes an holistic approach to health in and around education, engaging not just the children and their teachers, but also parents and governors. It encourages things such as Healthy Food Policies within schools, and promotes healthy lifestyle messages being incorporated in school curriculum.
Healthy Workplaces:
Based on the premise of Healthy Schools, taking a whole settings’ approach, NHS Norfolk has developed an initiative to encourage employers across its area to improve work settings, develop positive food policies, and introduce projects such as the Cycle to Work scheme for its staff. NHS Norfolk will lead a conference for employers later this year.
The LIFE programme is training trainers to deliver food and physical activity messages in a range of settings.
The Health Trainer service delivers support on lifestyle change to people living in the more deprived areas of NHS Norfolk.
The Joy of Food supports young adults and others to develop a better understanding of and confidence with food choices and preparation.
Other initiatives NHS Norfolk is involved in with partner agencies include the Exercise Referral Scheme and Active Norfolk.
Lucy added: “NHS Norfolk will continue to support Change4Life, and we would urge everyone to think about one healthier ‘swap’ they can make to their lifestyle today. We will continue to work towards reducing the prevalence of obesity and encouraging everyone – of all ages – to adopt a healthier lifestyle.”
To find out more about other activities and initiatives across the NHS Norfolk locality which can support you to lead an active, healthy lifestyle, call the NHS Norfolk Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 587 4132.
For more details on Change4Life, visit www.nhs.uk/change4life
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