Health chiefs urge weighty residents to battle the bulge

Introduced in November 2009, the Health Trainers Service is part of an innovative project to help support, motivate and guide people in Scarborough to make healthier long-term lifestyle choices.

Now, staff at the centre are urging residents to sign up to the programme, which includes advice on exercise, as obesity levels in the area continue to soar.

Greg Mcgrath, health improvement manager at NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: “The Scarborough district has seen an increase in obesity prevalence based on data from the Health Survey for England. This is higher than North Yorkshire and England.

“There is sufficient evidence to justify well-targeted action to manage and treat adult obesity.”

The free service, which also focuses on nutrition, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake, is based at the Falsgrave Community Resource Centre.

Natalie Belt, health trainer manager, said: “Our team is appealing to anyone in the Scarborough area looking to make a positive change to their lifestyle in 2012.

“That could be losing weight, getting fitter, quitting smoking or just improving your outlook on life. We can help people take a step back and look at their health and lifestyle, giving them practical tips and one-to-one confidential support.”

In October the Yorkshire Post revealed a new service, funded by NHS North Yorkshire and York, had been opened in Scarborough to help drive down obesity levels among young people and their parents. The initiative, which is being delivered by MoreLife, a weight management company based at Leeds Metropolitan University, focuses on new sport clubs for seven to 13-year-olds.

The Association of Public Health Observatories reports that 14.9 per cent of year six children in Scarborough are currently obese.

Health chiefs have highlighted tackling child obesity as a number one priority to close the huge gap in health expectations with the more affluent parts of North Yorkshire. The difference in life expectancy between the most and least deprived 10 per cent of North Yorkshire’s population is 7.5 years for men and 3.6 years for women.