Weight loss and weight management

Being overweight places increased risk on your long-term health and can even decrease life expectancy.

Making positive food and active lifestyle choices from a young age and carrying this into adulthood is essential in maintaining a healthy weight.

Fad diets may seem like a quick fix solution and achieve short-term weight loss, but are proven to be ineffective in long-term weight loss. Following a sensible eating plan and regular exercise routine are the basics of maintaining a healthy weight.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a system that helps assess if you are a healthy weight, based on calculations from your height and weight.

• check your BMI using the NHS online BMI calculator

Further information can be found on the NHS Better Health website.

For those aged 35-65 with a BMI 28+

There are FREE 12-week Fit Fan programmes now available for a limited time

What can you expect?

• 12 FREE weekly sessions at your local football club
• Meet other football fans on the same journey as you
• Learn how to make better choices to improve your lifestyle and health
• Be supported through your journey by club staff

For more information and programme dates fitfans@pompeyitc.org.uk

Find out more about the Fit Fan programme and to register visit: https://www.pompeyitc.co.uk/fit-fans/

Check your BMI using the NHS online BMI calculator

For anyone who doesn’t meet the criteria for the free programmes above, there are a number of services available in Portsmouth to help you lose weight by providing you with information on making healthier food, as well as activity choices to both lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.

If your child is overweight, making small, simple changes to your diet and activity levels as a family can encourage and support your child towards a healthier weight.

Being a healthy weight is important as overweight children tend to grow into overweight adults – so setting good lifestyle habits during childhood is vital.

There is lots of advice available from the NHS to support parents with an overweight child:

• when your child is overweight

If you are concerned about your child’s weight or eating, please discuss it with your doctor, practice nurse, Health Visitor or School Nurse. They will be able to provide specialist advice and refer you to further services if required. For example, there are clinics at Queen Alexandra Hospital, which offer individual consultations on weight loss, dietary and nutritional issues and include a specialist weight loss clinic for children up to 16 years of age.

• Nutrition and Dietetic Services, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth PO6 3LY – phone 023 9228 6000 extension 4662

There are a number of services available in Portsmouth to help you to make healthier food choices or to help you lose weight.

Your doctor, practice nurse or other health professional may refer you to a clinic at St Mary’s and Queen Alexandra hospitals. These offer individual consultations about:

• weight loss,
• diet and diabetes,
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or
• other dietary and nutritional issues including eating disorders.

The Portsmouth Wellbeing Service supports Portsmouth residents (PO1 to PO6) to quit smoking, achieve a healthy weight through eating well and moving more, and to drink less alcohol.

If you are a Portsmouth resident, you can self-refer on www.wellbeingportsmouth.co.uk/contact-us/  For any other enquiries, please contact us directly on 023 9229 4001. Your GP can also refer you.

You can also find plenty of help and advice online at: www.wellbeingportsmouth.co.uk

There are several different types of eating disorder, but the most common are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. Eating disorders are mental health conditions that all involve an unhealthy relationship with food and eating, and often an intense fear of being overweight.

Download the Portsmouth eating disorders service leaflet below, or follow the link for NHS information and how to get help to overcome eating disorders.

Specialist eating disorders service