Nationally, approximately two thirds of adults are overweight or obese. The implications of this are significant for individuals and for society to associated risks to health.
Obesity reduces life expectancy and increases the chance of serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and liver disease.
Our weight management service offers support for residents in Ealing who are struggling with their weight. The team includes a psychological wellbeing practitioner and nutritionist assistant.
We provide support for adults in Ealing who are defined as overweight or obese.
A BMI greater than or equal to 25 indicates being overweight. A BMI greater than or equal to 30 indicates obesity.
The service has been designed to help different groups of people based on their individual risk level and will support people who:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Adults with a BMI greater than 25
- Adults with a BMI greater than 23 amongst those of black African, African-Caribbean and Asian decent
- Are registered with an Ealing GP practice
- Residing (temporarily or permanently) within Ealing.
We are unable to help people who:
- Are pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Have a diagnosed eating disorder
- Have an underlying medical cause for obesity and would benefit from more intensive clinical management from a service that can provide care for their medical condition
- Have had bariatric surgery in the last two years.
The service is designed to help those with weight issues to better understand them and to promote long-term strategies to reduce their weight and improve their health.
We do this through:
- Promoting healthier lifestyle choices
- Improving diet and increasing physical activity
- Providing education on contributing factors and helping people make changes that can lead to weight loss.
Nutritional support - remote
Through a series of 60-minute group sessions once a fortnight via video call, our nutritional assistant will provide help and advice on:
- Eating well
- Food categories and nutrients
- Calorie intake
- Fluid intake
- Understanding metabolism
- Different types of diet and practical tips for cooking.
Running to better health group
Following the Couch to 5K methodology we encourage weekly exercise running - with the option of walking for those that are not able to run.
Cardio exercise and yoga - remote
A once weekly exercise class by video call, with gentle cardio or yoga based exercise. Scheduled between 5pm and 8pm to make it convenient for most people to attend.
Modifications to exercises will be made for those that need them.
Encouraging positive behavioural change
Our psychological wellbeing practitioner uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques in once fortnightly individual sessions with a combination of face to face and video call meetings.
Face to face meetings are needed at the beginning and end of the course so that we can take measurements as part of being able to monitor the success of the service.
The sessions help to:
- Improve motivation and readiness for change
- Set goals individual to you
- Get set up to plan and schedule meal preparation
- Review progress towards goals
- Solve problems when things aren’t going to plan and understand what may be stopping progression.
People who meet the criteria for help under the service can refer themselves, or you can refer someone you provide care for.
Referrals can also be made by GPs, health and social care professionals.
What if we can’t help?
Once a person has been assessed, if we cannot meet their needs, we can signpost people to other services and community resources to meet their needs where appropriate.
If a referral is not accepted by the service, we will provide feedback as to why the referral has been declined.
We work closely with GPs and other services to ensure that we are offering the service to those who can benefit from it.