Spare tyre health hazard: new survey reveals Britain's ignorance of harmful hormones
- New joint charity campaign urges Britons to examine their waistlines -

A new survey today reveals that 97 per cent of people in Britain are unaware that their beer bellies and muffin tops are generating higher levels of oestrogen and excess chemicals in their stomachs, putting them at risk of cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease (1).
But worryingly, nearly three quarters (71 per cent) of people admit to carrying excess weight around their middle, and more than half (57 per cent of women and 55 per cent of men) overestimate the waist measurement at which they become at risk (2).
The results of the survey, which questioned 2,085 adults in Great Britain, were released as Diabetes UK, Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) launched their new ‘Active Fat' campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying extra weight around your middle.

The charities are urging people to measure their waistlines and make positive changes to their lifestyles if they are at risk.
They have also produced a new web animation featuring a sinister fat cell, which helps to show people that instead of lying around harmlessly, our fat cells are actually very active and working around the clock to stimulate disease (3).
Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director for the British Heart Foundation, said: “That ‘harmless' spare tyre around your waist is actually a major health hazard. While you might be relaxing at home, your fat cells are working overtime to pump out excess hormones and other chemicals that can cause disease.

“Wrapping a tape measure around your middle takes just a few seconds, but it could be your vital first step towards a healthier a future.” 
The charities are also calling for the European Parliament to support people to make healthier food choices by bringing in a single front-of-pack food labelling system across Europe.

Diabetes UK Care Advisor Libby Dowling said: “If you're used to pounds and ounces, it's extremely confusing to go into a shop that only deals in grams and kilograms. It's the same with food labelling systems - we need one system that includes traffic light colours to help busy supermarket shoppers make informed food choices.”
Professor Jane Wardle, director of Cancer Research UK's Health Behaviour Research Centre at University College London, said: “Little changes that can become daily habits are the best, as they usually require less effort and can act as the building blocks of a much bigger lifestyle picture. Waist size is likely to increase throughout life, so whatever your age, today is a good day to start improving your health.”

The survey also found that:

• Women were less likely than men to worry about their health as a result of carrying excess weight around their middle (41 per cent of women compared to 50 per cent of men), and more likely to worry about how they look (28 per cent of women to 18 per cent of men) and fitting into their clothes (18 per cent of women to 9 per cent of men)
• Less than half of men and women (44 per cent) have tried doing more physical activity in response to carrying excess weight around their middle
• More than a quarter of people (27 per cent) have bought bigger sized clothes , approximately one in seven (15 per cent) have covered up on the beach, and approximately one in eight (12 per cent) have avoided weighing themselves altogether.
• To help people to trim their tummies, Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation are sharing their top tips on losing weight through their joint campaign website.

People can learn more about active fat and take a lifestyle check at www.activefat.org.uk .
The campaign is also being supported by former ‘Apprentice' television contestant and business woman Claire Young.
Ms Young said: “ As someone whose family has been affected by heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, I know just how important it is to look after your health.  My mum and I recently reduced our waistlines by making small, everyday changes to our lifestyles, and I'm encouraging others out there to measure their own waistlines and make changes if their health is at risk.”

Summer is certainly upon us and this wonderful weather opens up a total new playground for physical activity. If you are looking for some activity inspiration then please read on.

Zest People's Top 5 Summer Activity Choices

1. Walking - Yes, the humble walk makes it to the top of our list. Walking is a great way to get active, and you can really up the intensity by walking on the South Downs, at a pace equal to or faster than 4mph or by using waking poles ala Nordic Style!
2. Cycling - Another green winner from our activity choices. Cycling is a great way to get to work, school, visiting family and friends on time, burn some calories and see the world from a totally new perspective.
3. Roller Blading - Not just for New Yorkers, roller blading is accessible to many and is a perfect family way to burn some calories together.
4. Rounders - The sound of the 'whack' as the bat hits the ball and your friends and colleagues cheer as you speed round the posts to the chant of 'rounder, rounder'. Perfect for team building, groups of friends and is fairly in-expensive.
5. Kite Boarding - The ability to speed along the crest of a wave and the chance to grab 'Air' are just some of the many reasons why kite boarding is fast becoming a number one sport for coastal lovers. If you want to see some action then head to Lancing Green or Goring Beach (West Sussex) where you will be amazed at the skills on offer.

Have you tried any of the above and want to share a brief story with us and our readers? Please do, by leaving a comment!

Struggling to fit activity into your busy schedule? Let healthCAL help you achieve your goals with our twelve week plans. Follow this link.

Our understanding of the relationship between physical activity and health is constantly evolving. Therefore, the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences convened a panel of experts to review the literature and produce guidelines that health professionals might use. In the ABC of Physical Activity for Health, A is for All healthy adults, B is for Beginners, and C is for Conditioned individuals. All healthy adults aged 18-65 years should aim to take part in at least... Read More...

Call for Volunteers in Brighton and Hove
 
If you have some free time, are interested in walking and would like to meet new people then you may be interested in attending the next Healthwalks Volunteer Walk Leader Training Day.  The award winning scheme has a team of 40 active volunteers delivering a weekly programme of fifteen walks to over 1,000 local people every year.  The team have a dedicated Co-ordinator and have regular social events.  The walks range in length between under a mile to four miles in length and all are on public transport links.  It is a very rewarding way to volunteer because you see the benefits of your volunteering direct; as regular Walk Leader Ian Nichols says:
 
“I’ve seen walkers who when they started, found even a few yards difficult, but are now able to do a whole circuit of the park.  Some have even ditched their walking sticks!  Healthwalks are also great on a social level with everyone getting together for a chat in a cafe at the end of the walk,  Our walks help some people with long term problems, and help others stop getting ill in the first place!.”
 
The training day is free and lunch is provided.  It is a fun and informative day and participants will learn all they need to know to lead walks with members of the public.  If you would like to attend contact the Healthwalks Office on 01273 292564 / corinna.edwards-colledge@brighton-hove.gov.uk
 
Friday July 9th, 11am to 4.30pm, Kings House, Grand Avenue, Hove

To celebrate cycling in the City of Brighton and Hove a new video has been launched.

You can view the video (link to YouTube) here.

As the weather improves, cycling is a fantastic mode of transport and can help with your health and fitness goals and ensure that you get to your destination on time, as most journey times can easily be replicated, especially if using cycling lanes.

If you are unsure about getting on a bike for the first time or would like a refresher then a local Brighton Charity Bike for Life can help you build your confidence.

London June 5th and 6th

The PT Business Boot Camp is the ideal event for you if you really want to take your own PT business to the next level.

• If you are just starting out as a personal trainer and want to kick start your business the right way
• If you’re heading for PT burnout and want to regain time and freedom
• If you love what you do but are struggling financially to make it work
• If you are ready to move your business forwards but want clarity about the next steps to take
• If you really want to make a big difference through your business…

Begin the next stage of your PT business journey at The PT Business Boot Camp. Not only will you learn powerful and proven business principles, strategies and tools but you will also take action and complete invaluable work on your own business. This event offers you that opportunity to take a leap, to learn from others who have gone before you, who can teach you what you need to know, so that you can do the things you need to do. It’s about giving you a new perspective and a new, proven way of achieving the successful business you’ve always dreamed of.

For full details of the 2010 PT Business Boot Camp Weekend go here now:

http://www.theptbusinessgym.com/pt-business-boot-camp-2010/

Our specialist community falls prevention programme in Crawley has received a further years funding until 2011. We are extremely please with this outcome and look forward to developing this programme further.

This programme has been externally evaluated by the Evidence Centre and the final report is now available to download by following this link.

Community falls prevention services are a key part of the management and rehabilitation for people at risk or following a fall. To find out more about this innovative and exciting programme then please contact us.

Referral Co-ordinator, Healthy Weight Referral Scheme (maternity cover)
This is an exciting opportunity to work in the field of nutrition within a community based organisation.  You will be co-ordinating the healthy weight referral scheme for GPs and other health professionals, one point of contact for a range of healthy weight services in the city. This will include contacting individuals to discuss appropriate weight management services for their needs. A friendly approachable manner, excellent IT, organisation & communication skills are essential.

Hours: 22.5 hours per week, salary £20,554 per annum pro rata (£12,332). We offer flexible working hours Length of contract: Position initially offered to December 2010. Closing date: Friday 4th June at 5.00 pm.

To apply FOLLOW THIS LINK  or call 01273 431 700

The steering group for ZestERS the Exercise Referral Scheme for Brighton and Hove met on the 10th May.

The meeting was well attended and we would like to thank all for their time.

It was agreed that a new set of inclusion and exclusion criteria are rolled out to referring partners through June. We are in the final stages of agreeing the new look criteria and will be writing to all 280 of our referring partners with the news.

We provided the latest data to the scheme and this can be downloaded from this link.

For more information about the steering group or ZestERS please do not hesitate to contact us 01903 660070 (Option1).

The Sussex County Sports Partnership (the Trust) is seeking to build upon current expertise through the recruitment of up to 8 outstanding individuals to serve as trustees, with possible appointment to its Board of Trustees. Interest is especially welcome from the areas of finance, legal, facilities, public health, business, marketing and community safety. Read More...

In a fantastic new partnership, Zest People and People Who Do have joined forces to develop and create a new kind of workplace health resource, built by SME’s for SME’s.

This partnership is thrilled to be awarded funding through the Department of Work and Pensions Challenge Fund to develop this service.

More exciting news will follow but if you would like to find out more then please do not hesitate to contact us.