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Tips on healthier eating and becoming more active

Date published: 11 January 2023

Tips and advice are available if you want to lose a bit of weight and get more active to be healthier and fitter.

Health risks

Having a waistline of 37 inches or more for a man and 32 inches or more for a woman can put you at a greater risk of developing a number of serious health conditions, such as:

  • heart disease
  • stroke
  • some cancers
  • Type 2 diabetes 

Your health could be at greater risk if you’re storing a lot of fat around your waist.

Excess body fat is stored under the skin but also around the vital organs in the abdomen.

Having a large amount of tummy fat could make you more likely to develop heart problems or Type 2 diabetes.

Tips

Top tips to make a difference:

  • cut out the snacks – research has shown that eating as little as 100 calories more than the body needs each day could add up to 10lbs of weight gain in a year
  • cook healthier food – you can find ideas on Choose to Live Better 
  • get more active – a simple way to get started is to go walking

Many people don’t realise how much they are eating over the course of the day; 100 calories can be as little as an extra slice of bread, an extra three sweets, or an extra forkful of spaghetti.

Snacks, nibbles and second helpings are things eaten without even thinking, but every extra bit that goes in, ends up going on.

By being mindful of what you eat, cooking healthier, and cutting out the extras, you can help reduce the risk of putting on the pounds.

Being more active

Getting more active is a great way to manage your weight. By fitting more steps into your everyday routine you can start to feel the benefits.

For example, doing small things like getting off the bus one stop earlier and walking the rest of the way, or taking the stairs at work rather than the lift, can make a big difference.

  • Physical activity

By taking simple measures to move more, everyone can help manage their weight, as well as boost their mental health and reduce stress and anxiety.

More useful links

  • Healthy balanced diet
  • Children and healthy weight
  • Healthy lives
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