Is your weight affecting your health?

Weight Wise Barnsley has been looking at some of the ways in which people can make small lifestyle changes to see big benefits. The Weight Wise Barnsley programme is a 10-week course run by specially trained weight management assistants, supported by dietitians.

Weight Wise Barnsley offers a community based weight loss support group to people wanting to rethink their approach to nutrition and physical activity levels.

Janet Steele, Weight Management Assistant said: “There are 10 sessions in all and it isn’t just about getting weighed. We have ‘cook and eat’ sessions, we take a tour around a supermarket to look at healthier eating options and we also give out free ‘step’ counters so people can see how physically active they are.”

The sessions are available across the borough with typically 12 to 15 people in each group. The sessions are free and they take place close to where you live.

How to find out more

if you have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or more contact your GP or local Practise Nurse who will be able to provide more information. Click here to find out your BMI.

Tickle your taste buds

Jack, Ardsley.
Jack contacted his family doctor after seeing an advert for Weight Wise Barnsley in the local press. Jack, who admitted to having a little “chest slip”, wanted to lose a little weight and more importantly find a way to keep it off. Jack lost just over a stone over the 12 weeks and said he enjoyed the friendly approach of the group. “There wasn’t any name and shame, it was free and you got information which you could actually use once you got home.

“I now know what to look for on food labels and I eat a lot more fruit than I used to. It isn’t a diet at all; it’s all about looking a small ways to make changes to see a difference on your waistline.”

Jack has gone on to tell others about the programme on Look North and Radio Sheffield, Calendar and even the PM knows about him!

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The Barnsley Food Network was set up in July 2005 for people working on food projects or initiatives or interested in food issues of the people of Barnsley.

Overall it is hoped that the network will raise the profile of food issues and how they impact on the health and regeneration of the borough, strengthening links between local food projects with local food producers and businesses.

Funding in the first year has been obtained through 'Communities for Health' in which Barnsley is one of the pilot projects. The Communities for Health programme as described in the Governments Public Health White Paper, 'Choosing Health: Making healthy choices easier', is to encourage partnership working to address health inequalities.

Fit for the Future have agreed to continue to support the funding of the Food Network from April 2006 to March 2008. We currently have just over 200 members on our database.

Visit the Barnsley Food Network website www.barnsleyfoodnetwork.org.uk

On this site you will find information about the Network, a directory of food projects and where to buy locally produced foods in Barnsley, dates and minutes of meetings, training opportunities around food and much much more!

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