October 18, 2019 - 1084 views
An ambitious new strategy by the Welsh Government to tackle Wales’ severe obesity problem has been wholeheartedly supported by many community groups.
The ‘Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales’ plan aims to make Wales one of the first countries in the world to have declining rates of obesity over the next 10 years. Tenovus Cancer Care, who have many active supporters in North Wales, have welcomed the plan
Judi Rhys, Chief Executive of Tenovus Cancer Care, said: “Obesity is a major problem in Wales, with 60% of adults overweight or obese and the figure rising to 66% in more deprived areas.
“We urgently need to address this issue and the ‘Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales’ strategy is very promising. We now await the detail behind the strategy to see how these ambitious targets will be achieved.
“Tenovus Cancer Care is committed to reducing obesity rates, which is now the second biggest cause of cancer in Wales, and has successfully piloted a Foodwise for Life course in South Wales to educate people to make healthier lifestyle choices.
“We would urge the Welsh Government to invest in community-based initiatives, such as Nutrition Skills for Life, which was developed by NHS dieticians, to improve people’s health literacy.”
Tenovus Cancer Care’s Foodwise for Life is an eight-week programme which utilises evidence-based approaches to weight management. It covers adapting eating habits, along with increasing physical activity, and uses basic behaviour change strategies to facilitate weight loss.
Paul Fisk, a 74 year old from Swansea needed to manage his weight while receiving proton beam therapy to treat his prostate cancer. He and his wife joined a Foodwise for Life course together and have both been able to lose weight.
Mr Fisk said: “I read that being as fit as possible and controlling my weight would help when coping with the treatment, so I started to attend a weekly keep-fit class and a weekly meditation course in addition to our normal routine of dancing, swimming, and walking.
“My wife had been a member of a few healthy eating and diet groups so when I spotted the Foodwise for Life course on Tenovus Cancer Care’s website we decided it would be a good idea to join together.
"The course has been especially good for me, I think more about what I’m eating and when I eat. Through better meal planning and more regular meal times we’ve both lost weight.”
