My weight, my health
How can my weight affect my health?
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for good health. The COVID pandemic has meant that people have found it difficult to keep their weight under control, with recurrent lockdowns not only limiting our physical activity but also causing stress on people which can affect their eating habits. Obesity is now estimated to affect 1 in 4 adults in the UK.
Excess weight can have wide ranging effects on our health. It can cause fertility issues in men and women, mental health issues, and increase the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, heartburn and reflux, and many more common health issues that people face. Recent studies into COVID have shown that people suffering from obesity are more likely to experience a more severe disease and are at an increased risk of death.
For more information on how weight can affect your health, please visit the sites below:
– www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity
– www.patient.info/healthy-living/obesity-overweight
– www.cancerresearchuk.org – Does obesity cause cancer?
Social Prescriber
Our social prescribers can help you make sustainable changes in your life to manage your weight, with tailored advice for meal planning and increasing physical activity. Contact the Reception Team to book an appointment.
BMI calculator
The body mass index (BMI) is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy.
Website
NHS: BMI healthy weight calculatorWhat is my risk of getting diabetes?
Finding out your risk of type 2 diabetes only takes a few minutes. It could be the most important thing you do today.
Website
www.riskscore.diabetes.org.ukApps
MyFitnessPal
This app is recommended by our social prescribers. It is a free exercise and diet tracker to help you take control of your lifestyle goals. You can track calories, break down ingredients, and log exercise with MyFitnessPal. It also contains helpful tips, tricks and recipes to guide you.
Google Play Store
Download MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter on the Google Play store
Apple App Store
Download MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter on the Apple app store
NHS Weight Loss Plan
The NHS free 12-week weight loss plan for successful and sustainable weight management. This is a helpful tool to promote long-term dietary changes and weight loss.
Google Play Store
Download NHS Weight Loss Plan on the Google Play store
Apple App Store
Download NHS Weight Loss Plan on the Apple app store
I want to be more active
Merton Health and Fitness
Merton Health & Fitness aims to make Pilates accessible to everyone. All our classes, live and online, are very personable and friendly and we like to take you on your own health & fitness journey and see you develop at your own rate.
Email
najat@mertonhealthfitness.co.uk
Address
Raynes Park Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, SW20 9LYWalk and Talk Movement – Wimbledon Park
The Walk and Talk Movement is designed to bring people together in their local green spaces for a weekly community walk. You can walk for however long and at whatever pace suits you. It’s free and anyone can join – pets are also welcome.
It will be launching in Wimbledon Park on 18th September at 10:30 and the meeting place will be at the café outside the park.
Website
www.wewalkandtalk.orgParkrun
A free and weekly event that takes place in parks and open spaces. Parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
Website
www.parkrun.org.uk/wimbledonMerton Moves
Merton Moves is a new initiative from Wimbledon Guild and Merton Council to inform people at, or nearing, retirement age about the importance of staying active.
Phone
020 8946 0735
Email
info@wimbledonguild.co.ukOne You Merton
Friendly, local support to help you eat well, move more, stop smoking or drink less.
Phone
020 8973 3545
Email
oneyou.merton@nhs.netActivity Finder
The London Borough of Merton has launched a new Activity Finder to help residents find healthy activities and sports clubs, as it continues its journey to become London’s Borough of Sport.
The Activity Finder website is designed to make it easier for anyone looking to take up a new sport or activity in their area by bringing all our local clubs and organisations together into one easy-to-navigate
website.
From boxing, martial arts and yoga to local football, cricket and hockey clubs, the Activity Finder aims to help residents take the next step, whatever their interests or level of ability.
Website: www.boroughofsport.activityfinder.net
I want to eat healthier
Slimming World
You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.
Website
Slimming WorldWeight Watchers
Meetings, online or a little bit of both. They’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.
Website
Weight WatchersPatient.info: Healthy Living
A healthy diet may help to prevent certain long-term (chronic) diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It may also help to reduce your risk of developing some cancers and help you to keep a healthy weight. For more information, visit the Patient.info website.
Website
www.patient.info – Healthy EatingNHS Eat Well Guide
The Eatwell Guide shows how much of what we eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet.
Website
www.nhs.uk – The Eatwell GuidePatient Webinars
Short videos for advice and guidance for weight management through diet changes, highly recommended by the practice team.
Website
Weight Management WebinarsChange4Life
Change4Life has healthy eating and shopping tips, recipes, downloads and apps, free vouchers for all ages.
Website
www.nhs.uk/change4life