Diet & Fitness
20% “fat tax” needed to improve population health
- Monday, 14 May 2012
Taxes on unhealthy food and drinks would need to be at least 20% to have a significant effect on diet-related conditions such as obesity and heart disease, say experts on bmj.com today. Ideally, this should be combined with subsidies on healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables, they add.
Their views come ahead of the 65th World Health Assembly taking place in Geneva on 21-26 May 2012 where prevention and control of non-communicable diseases will be a key issue for discussion.
New service promotes independence
- Monday, 14 May 2012
Helping people get back to as near normal fitness as possible when they leave hospital is the aim of a new Haringey Council service that formally launched this week after a successful trial period.
The new service, known as re-ablement, is free for up to six weeks after someone leaves hospital. Most people want to do things for themselves again following a hospital stay but for some a little intensive short-term help is necessary. Re-ablement puts the individual needs of the person first and helps to increase independence.
70 plus are a nation of Ageing Adventurers
- Thursday, 19 April 2012
Not that long ago, a cosy pair of slippers at the foot of a sturdy armchair next to a coffee table and a newspaper crossword was the archetypal image of pensioners.
New research by supplement company Healthspan shows that Brits are a nation of ‘Ageing Adventurers’ with those over 70 saying they keep themselves young by constantly setting themselves new life challenges.
Eat for your decade
- Thursday, 23 February 2012
By Dr Sarah Schenker: registered dietician & nutritionist
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important at every stage of the life cycle, but there are specific nutrition needs to consider as we get older.
It’s never too late to start being more physically active.
- Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Our guide, ‘Physical activity’, is aimed at people who have never taken part in regular physical activity before or those who have been inactive for a while. It is full of handy tips on how to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.
Local charities team up for a second time to smash the world record for largest Zumba class!
- Monday, 30 January 2012
Local charities Lewis-Manning Hospice and The Wessex Autistic Society have teamed up for the second time for an even bigger and better attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record for largest Zumba class.
October last year saw over 750 charity supporters, Zumba virgins and fitness fanatics dancing to the Latin-inspired calorie burning class, but sadly they didn’t break the record.
So the charities have bounced back with the promise to throw and even bigger and better party - Zumba Smash 2, on Sunday 12th February to break the current record of 2012 participants – and they need your help.
Motivate yourself by getting fit for a good cause
- Friday, 13 January 2012
Kick start your New Year exercise routine by signing up for a 2012 charity challenge with Christian Aid. Whether you like running, cycling or trekking, we have an event to suit keep fit enthusiasts of all levels
Christian Aid offers the opportunity to take part in a mixture of well established high profile events such as the Brighton and Edinburgh marathons and the London to Paris bike ride, or more bespoke Christian Aid events such as the Hadrian’s Wall Trek.
In response to the new ‘exercises for older people tool’ launched today by NHS Choices
- Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Helena Herklots, Services Director at Age UK, said:
“Physical activity is one of the most effective ways of positively influencing both physical and mental health. We can help ourselves to stay as fit and healthy as possible in later life, by doing simple things at home or by attending organised sessions such as those run by Age UK’s fit as a fiddle programme.
Get fighting fit in the forest this New Year
- Friday, 06 January 2012
Many of us make resolutions each New Year which we struggle to keep or indeed start, so Forestry Commission England is making it easier for you with a wide range of cheap and fun activities to get you in shape.
Research has shown that not only can woodlands play a part in helping you become physically fit but getting outdoors can also help relieve stress and improve mental wellbeing. With a Forestry Commission wood never more than half an hour away there’s no excuse for not going into the New Year looking and feeling great.
