SalfordOnline
Your local community website
   Middle-aged targeted in health campaign
The government has launched a new campaign to urge the middle-aged to lose weight and get healthy, in the second stage of a drive to curb obesity rates. The Swap it Don't Stop it part of the Change4life campaign says people do not have to give up the things they love, targeting the 45-65 age bracket. Instead it suggests 'swaps' like swapping watching a favourite sport on television for taking part, including 'dance swap' which encourages people get up and dance to the radio rather than sitting back and watching dancing on their screens. And to reduce the amount of food consumed, the campaign suggests increasing fibre intake by choosing brown rice over white, or swapping bigger plates for smaller ones to choose smaller portions of food. The campaign has previously faced criticism, but the government says one million families have sought to change their families' lifestyles over the past year. Data released today also shows obesity prevalence in children is levelling out. Television and poster adverts will air from Saturday supporting the new campaign. Health secretary Andy Burnham said the Change4Life campaign has "surpassed all targets" for the first year. "We are beginning to see the positive impact on families as they start to adopt healthier lifestyles," he said. "The beauty of the campaign is that it motivates everyone to get involved right down to local communities." Meanwhile, a study published today suggests eight out of ten men and almost seven in ten women will be overweight by 2020. The study by Oxford University professor Klim McPherson finds that while data shows childhood obesity may be leveling off, adult obesity is expected to rise. Source: ePolitix.com Copyright Dod's Parliamentary Communications Ltd
Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
|
