Managing your weight

Eating well, moving more, and getting your weight on track has many health benefits.

These include  reducing your risk of developing health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

Support for managing your weight

There is a range of support available nationally and in Tower Hamlets to help you to achieve a healthy weight.

Community weight management service

The service is for residents or those registered with a GP in Tower Hamlets or people who work or study in the borough. You must:

• be aged 18 or over
• have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or
• have a BMI of 27.5 if you are South Asian.

Change for Good

Change for Good is a free programme, run by Social Action for Health, focusing on how you can make positive lifestyle choices in your day to day.

Support from your peers is a strong way to stay motivated and central to the course. The team want to bring people together in an encouraging and supportive way. You can also share experiences and hear inspirational stories from your peers; a good reminder that you are all on this journey together.

The course is made up of 12 one-hour in person or online sessions which run over 12 weeks. Sessions will be run in different languages by local, qualified, and experienced tutors.

One focus of the course is weight loss, which the team approach this in a holistic way. The group will explore together what a healthy diet is. You will learn skills to help you:

• set achievable goals
• control cravings
• prevent weight regain.

The group will also look at how you can start healthy, long-term habits in a steady and safe way.

If you have any questions or need help working out your body mass index (BMI), telephone 07969 023 218 or email: ChangeForGood@safh.org.uk.

NHS Digital Weight Management Programme

The Digital Weight Management Programme offers free, online access to weight management services. The programme will support you to develop healthier eating habits, be more active and lose weight, with lots of structured support available on your smartphone, tablet or computer. The programme takes 12 weeks to complete.

You can access the programme through a referral from your GP practice. To use this service you must:

• be aged 18 or over
• have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or 27.5 for people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds
• also have diabetes or high blood pressure, or both.

To find more information about the programme, visit NHS Digital Weight Management.

Specialist programmes

Weight Management Disability Service

This specialist disability weight management service is a free exercise and nutrition programme run by Ability Bow.

The programme is suitable for Tower Hamlets residents, aged 18 and older, who are overweight or obese, and living with a physical disability. Through a 12-week programme of focused one-to-one and small group exercise and nutrition sessions, you will be able to:

• increase your physical activity levels with support from our expert instructors
• work with a dietician to identify ways to eat healthily and to manage your weight.

You can choose your sessions to be provided in-person or remotely, or a combination of both.

Our specialist, qualified and experienced team will help you to set achievable goals and lose weight. We will also advise you on ways to sustain your weight loss beyond the programme.

Sessions will be run in different areas of Tower Hamlets including Ability Bow Gym, and online.

How to sign up

If you have any questions about joining the programme, please contact simohamed.dahiri@abilitybow.org or telephone 020 89807778.

For health professionals wishing to refer patients, please email nelondon.abilitybowreferrals@nhs.net or telephone 020 89807778.

Weight Management Service for adults with learning disabilities 

The Community Learning Disability Service and Create are introducing a Tier 2 weight management programme to support adults with learning disabilities within Tower Hamlets to lose weight and to develop healthier, more active lifestyles.   

Participants, and their carers, will be supported to develop personalised timetables and identify weekly goals. They will be offered weekly fitness and information sessions over 12 weeks as well as  one-on-one input from health and lifestyle professionals working within the  Community Learning Disability Service.  Some aspects of the course will also be available online.   

If you want to know more about this exciting new programme, please contact the Community Learning Disability Service on 020 7771 5500 or email elft.cldsadmin@nhs.net.