Madeley Matters

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July 2004 Insert

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Take control of your health

Choosing Health? Choosing a better diet.

The food we eat and the way it is produced and manufactured has a significant impact on our health. Diets high in fat, sugar and salt and low in fruit, vegetables and fibre are associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers. (ref. Choosing health? Choosing a better diet, Executive summary DH Spring 2004)

But access to healthy food is not necessarily easily available to all.

To help address these issues in South Telford a post has been developed through the PCT and Jubilee SureStart which will employ a Community Food Worker. The overall aim of the post holder is to increase the awareness of consumption, affordability and availability of healthy foods, for families living within the Jubilee SureStart area. This could involve the development of local food projects and policies.

The worker will be based in Madeley and employed within the Health Promotion Team.

What do you think are the issues in this area around access to a healthy diet?

If you have views please contactBrenda CockcroftThe Health ShopCHEC (01952) 582659

For a Healthier Old Age

Sylvia Hearne writes:
In my role as health visitor for the elderly, I try to identify those who are vulnerable and assess their health and social needs. My aim is to maintain good health and prevent ill health within the older community.

his can be done by encouraging independence and provision of appropriate support on an individual level, but also by organising and running health initiatives for groups, eg chair based exercise groups for those with arthritis (Hall Barn - Mondays 11.30am and Bridle Court - Thursdays at 2pm); weight management and exercise group - Westbourne Community Room (starting on 15th June at 2pm)
Hope this gives an insight - if you need to contact me: 01952 587623

Sylvia Hearne - Health Visitor to the elderly (Woodside Medical Practice)

Community Help 2 Quit (smoking cessation)

Community Help 2 Quit is aimed at providing additional support to individuals to help them with their quit attempt and relapse prevention.

The kind of support being offered is distracting activities for those who smoke because they are bored or who are worried about weight gain and would benefit from activities such as exercise or yoga classes

Alison Ball

Community Help 2 Quit co-ordinator

10 Tips for Healthy Eating

1. Eat a variety of foods
2. Base your diet on plenty of foods rich in carbohydrates
3. Enjoy plenty of fruits and vegetables
4. Maintain a healthy body weight and feel good
5. Eat moderate portions – reduce, don’t eliminate foods
6. Eat regularly
7. Drink plenty of fluids
8. Get on the move
9. Start now and make changes gradually
10. Remember, there are no “good” or “bad” foods

There are no “good” or “bad” foods, only good and bad diets. Don’t feel guilty about the foods you love, rather eat them in moderation and choose other foods to provide the balance and variety that are vital to good health.