Better 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. But 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 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 18.5. 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.

To support people to live healthier lives, Public Health England's Better Health campaign will provide a variety of tools and apps to help you make healthier food choices, become more active and prevent future weight gain. One of these tools is a Weight Loss Plan app, which provides 12 weeks' worth of engaging content that can be personalised and tailored to the goals and needs of the individual. Later down the line, support will also be made available to help people quit smoking, cut down their drinking and look after their mental health.

Gaining weight is often a gradual process - it happens over the years as a result of modern-day life and the odd unhealthy habit.

Extra weight causes fat to build up around vital organs, making it harder for the body to fight against diseases like cancer, heart disease and now COVID-19.

If you're overweight or obese, losing weight can not only reduce your risk of developing some serious health problems, but can also make you feel better, more energised and improve your stress management.

Are you finding it hard to lose weight?

LiveWell Dorset can empower you to manage your weight through healthy eating habits and physical activity. Their team of advisors and coaches have helped more than 30,000 people in Dorset and would love to help you too.

More than 200,000 people are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes every year – and that means the risk of potentially serious health complications and early death.

Modern life can make it hard to be healthy but for many people Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by making small lifestyle changes.

Diabetes is a leading cause of sight loss in people of working age. It is also responsible for most cases of kidney failure and lower limb amputation (other than accidents), and people with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than those without diabetes.

However, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by:

• Managing your weight,

• Eating healthily and

• Being more active.

The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free programme for those who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

You can get help to make positive changes to your diet, weight and physical activity to significantly reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.