Fat-fighting project widened to tackle Derby's obesity crisis
MORE than 400 people have been referred by their GPs to join a £250,000 programme aimed at tackling Derby's obesity problems.
Figures show that one in three city people are overweight, putting Derby 127th out of 364 local authorities for obesity in adults.
Health experts have now created the b-You project – a free, personalised 48-week plan encouraging people to lead healthier lifestyles and lose weight. It includes cooking classes and exercise sessions.
Organisers want hundreds more to join the programme and are holding a three-day event at Derby's Westfield centre where they can find out more. They will also be able to check their body mass index, or BMI – the amount of fat in their body based on their weight and height.
Rob Smithers, b-You co-ordinator, said GPs started referring people to the programme last June and, since then, 89% of had stayed with it.
He said: "There is no other programme quite like this nationally but, generally, projects of this nature are considered successful if anything from 40% to 60% keep following them.
"I think the reason we are head and shoulders above the rest is because of the way our advisers work. They will meet with patients weekly and still continue to keep in touch by text or e-mail as they start to do more things on their own.
"But everyone's plans are tailored to suit their needs. So, for example, we had one woman who recently retired and was not feeling great about things. She went from doing nothing each day to swimming lots of lengths every morning."
Organisers of the project, a joint venture between Derby City Council and NHS Derby City, said they were looking to recruit up to 650 people as soon as possible, before doubling that number in coming months.
Those already on the project are aged from 18 to 80 and have lost an average of about one stone each. One participant lost more than two stone in four months.
Among them is Chris Bacon, 65, of Sinfin. He said: "Although I'd done the gym thing before, I never really got a handle on eating properly.
"But I've developed my understanding of healthy, sensible eating, which has made a big difference. Now I'm two stone lighter and feeling all the better for it."
Nearly all GP practices in Derby are referring people to the programme, with doctors looking for patients with a BMI of about 30 or more.
The b-You project will be at the Westfield Centre this week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit www.b-you.co.uk.
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by Beaurepaire
Thursday, February 23 2012, 5:11AM
“The last time I saw anything that size, it had moons orbiting it...”
by pooky2483
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 7:36PM
“@Wafty - "Yes the government have a say in what goes on - however, if you want the government to be accountable for this you will also need them to be far more heavy-handed in what they let you do in other parts of your life"
Aren't they already - we aren't allowed to discipline our kids any more, that's why there's so many ASBO's around and unruly children that Social Services deal with, either legitimately or wrongly, the kids 'threaten' their parents - 'do that/hit me again ant I'll phone 'SS' on you. But little do they know exactly how much sh*t that causes. I know, don't go spouting off rubbish that it's me or anything as you don't know me.
You say stop blaming the Government - There HAS to be SOMETHING that YOU don't like about society or something in your life, the Government has a hand in EVERYTHING.”
by pooky2483
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 5:25PM
“@Wafty - They have Fast Food outlets in China too.
OK... What DO the Government do Wafty?
THEY have the power to tell these Fast Food outlets what to do Via other means, it's them who set out rules otherwise the Country would be anarchy. Why do you think people are putting forward petitions to get the Government to get into action and get things done that the people are unhappy with.”
by Wafty
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 4:03PM
“nice one pookey -forget personal responsibilities and blame the government. Yes the government have a say in what goes on - however, if you want the government to be accountable for this you will also need them to be far more heavy-handed in what they let you do in other parts of your life - might I suggest a nice trip to China, or North Korea if you want the government to tell you what you can eat.....”
by pooky2483
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 2:40PM
“Well, why isn't something done about all the junk food outlets?
The Government ("here he goes again" is the cry from the regulars who know me, blaming the poor old Government AGAIN). Well, it's THEM who have the say in what goes on in this Country ISN'T IT.
They are saying get healthy, eat healthier and they're doing little to nothing to stop or change the fast food outlets selling cr*p
Hoose_Fenger has it right - "look at the predominance of fast food outlets in Derby."”
by omrlp
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 2:04PM
“Evening all..
Gotta laugh there "furiousperson" ! Nope its my Misses i can recognize her anywhere,from her favorite brand of jeans.Should of seen her before shed lost 5 stone..Kinda dainty looking for around here..
Lord Whopping Foghole...”
by dave15248
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 1:04PM
“There's plenty to dig your heels in should you get 'stuck'”
by Wafty
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 10:15AM
“shame the telegraph couldn't have linked this story to the one regarding life expectancy across the city - I'd be interested to know the proportion of people referred from the leafy suburbs as opposed to places such (as mentioned in the article) Sinfin.....”
by furiousperson
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 10:01AM
“That's a photo of my Mum, I think.”
by Hoosen_Fenger
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 9:49AM
“I really have never understood why people don't understand the very simple logic behind weight control.
Burn more calories than you eat and hey presto, you will not put on weight.
Whilst there may be isolated cases of people who have medical conditions that lead them to be overweight, the majority of people who are overweight do not eat or exercise properly. And if you need any third party justification, look at the predominance of fast food outlets in Derby.
They would not be in business if people chose not to eat the tripe that gets served up. This money should be spent on something else, not people that refuse to take the time to research how to live healthily.”