Special team has taken up new challenge
HEALTH workers are being drafted in to help fight the flab in Newsome.
A special team is holding events aimed at reducing weight and increasing healthy eating.
Fruit tasting and advice on physical activity and nutrition was on offer today at the doctors' surgery in Church Lane, Newsome.
Old people have not been forgotten either, with armchair exercises organised at two care centres.
Health promotion specialist Lorraine Bradbury said: "Obesity increases people's risk of this country's biggest killer diseases - coronary heart disease and cancer.
"Even for people who are not overweight, a well-balanced diet containing at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day - together with moderate exercise five times a week - is important in preventing heart disease."
The Newsome Primary Health Care team - based at the Church Lane surgery - is linking up for the campaign with Kirklees Council, Huddersfield Health Promotion Service and the Huddersfield Healthy Living Initiative.
Ms Bradbury said obesity heightened the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and osteo-arthritis.
She said: "In order to lose weight, people need to use up more calories than they take in from food and drink.
"Exercise can be in any form, from energetic housework, gardening or just a brisk walk to the shops, instead of taking the car."
Competitions will be held in schools, as well as fruit tastings.
Stories, workshops and assemblies on a healthy theme will take place in nursery, infant and junior schools.
A free taster session of tai chi and chi kung - gentle exercises suitable for all levels of fitness - will be held at 11am next Friday at Stilers community building, behind Stile Common Infants School.
