With the growing incidence of coronary heart disease, obesity and diabetes in today's society, medical practitioners are continually looking for ways to improve the health and well being of the nation. Good healthy lifestyles combined with regular physical activity can provide significant benefits in increasing longevity and improve general well-being.
This section of the website provides information on a wide range of health initiatives that are taking place across the district. In addition, there is also a wealth of information of lifestyle issues such as healthy eating, physical activity, stress management and smoking cessation.
If you require any further information please click on any of the links underneath each section. Alternatively contact Matt Pearce the Healthy Lifestyles Development Officer on (01453) 754501 or email matthew.pearce@stroud.gov.uk.
- Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS)
- Health Walks
- Lifestyle Checks
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV
- Healthy Workplace Scheme
- Healthy Eating
- Stress
- Physical Activity
- Alcohol and Smoking
Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS)
Healthy Lifestyles has been successfully running in Dursley since 1995. The scheme consists of a partnership between Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust and Parkwood Leisure. In 2005 the scheme was rolled out to the Stroud area and now operates at Stratford Park Leisure Centre and Dursley Pool.
The scheme enables individuals to be referred by their GP/practice nurse to a variety of activities in order to improve a certain medical condition. Generally, any patients that have one of the following conditions may be eligible to join the scheme:
- High blood pressure
- Over weight
- Diabetes (Type II)
- Depression / Stress
- Asthmatic
- Pre/post natal
- Osteoporosis
The scheme lasts for a 12 weeks and is supervised by a qualified exercise professional. All the staff are registered with the Register for Exercise Professionals REPS.
Health Walks
The Stroud District is situated in the South of the Cotswold's and has been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty and a natural choice for anyone interested in walking. 
Not only does walking allow you to take in the outstanding scenery around the five valleys but also offers a number of benefits to your health including:
- Walking is great for fun and fitness
- Walking benefits health and well-being
- Walking is suitable for all ages
- Discover attractive and interesting places to walk
- Revisit favourite places
- A chance to meet new people
- Most walks are inexpensive
Throughout the district there are a number of organised walks that individuals can take part in. These are held regularly and are led by fully qualified walk leaders. This allows for a walk that is structured, risk assessed, the right intensity and of course, so you don't get lost!
All of these walks and more can be found at the Strolling in Stroud District Website at www.strollinginstrouddistrict.org. The website has a wealth of information including:
- Database of walks in your area
- Download 44 different circular walks from across the district
- Sign up for regular newsletters
- Information on how to become a qualified walk leader
- Information on local walking festivals
- Add your own walks
For more information contact John Little the Walks Co-ordinator at john.little@stroud.gov.uk.
Useful Links
Strolling in Stroud District Website - www.strollinginstrouddistrict.org
Walking to Health Initiative - www.whi.org.uk
Lifestyle Checks
Due to the growing incidence of a coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and obesity, it is increasingly important to monitor our current level of health. To do this, Stroud District Council carry-out health assessments around the community. The checks involve qualified members of staff assessing your health levels and offering advice on a number of lifestyle issues. The checks involve the following
- Weight measurement
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Waist to Hip ratio (body fat)
- Blood pressure
- Smoking cessation advice
- Alcohol
- Stress
- Physical activity and exercise
- Healthy eating
For more information about when lifestyle checks are taking place in your area please contact Matt Pearce (Healthy Lifestyles Development Officer) on 01453 754501 or email matthew.pearce@stroud.gov.uk
Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV
Cardiac Rehabilitation classes offer people that have previously suffered a cardiac episode the opportunity to exercise in safe and friendly environment with highly trained exercise professionals from the British Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation.
The class incorporates an activity session and lifestyle information on a range of issues such as diet, medication, stress and physical activity levels. The exercise session varies from circuit training, gym sessions or health walks.
People who attend these sessions have normally completed Phase III, however this is not essential. People with any of the following conditions may attend:
- Post MI (Heart attack)
- Stable angina
- Post-CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft)
- Post-Transplant
- Post angioplasty
- Implanted defibrillator
- Post-valve replacement
The classes take place every Thursday at Stratford Park Leisure Centre, Stroud from 11am-12:15pm.
To attend these sessions' patients must either be referred by a Phase III instructor or their GP/nurse. To be referred, your GP must fill in a referral form. This form is available to download below. Each session costs £2.50 and includes a refreshment after the class.
PDF
Phase IV referral form - 20/12/2007 : 46Kb
Useful Links
British Heart Foundation - www.bhf.org.uk
British Cardiac Society - www.bcs.com
Healthy Workplace Scheme
What is the Healthy Workplace Scheme?
The Healthy Workplace Scheme is a health initiative from Stroud District Council to enable people who work to become more physically active and healthy within and outside of their work environment.
The workplace provides an ideal location in which the health professional has a 'captive audience' and is able to work with large groups of people in one convenient location. Healthy Workplace Schemes are a global phenomenon, with programmes being developed in Japan , Europe, USA and Canada . The United Kingdom is still in its infancy in developing these schemes, which can offer a wide range of benefits to staff.
What are the benefits?
Research has shown that there are numerous benefits to be gained from healthy workplace schemes, not just for the employees but also for the organisation itself:
- Benefits to the employer
- Enhanced corporate image
- More effective workforce
- Positive effect on productivity and staff turnover
- 10-20% reduction in absence rates
- Healthy employees are 8 hours more productive than unhealthy ones
- Better retention of staff
- Reduced workplace injuries
- Benefits to the staff
- Higher morale
- Gains in both physiological and psychological heath
- Access to nutritional and physical activity advice
- Increased team rapport
What does the scheme involve?
The scheme offers employees the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities designed to improve their health. These will typically include: -
- Pedometer monitoring
- Health walks
- Exercise classes
- Workshops on diet, smoking, stress, back injury prevention
- Exposure to health promotion posters throughout the organisation
In addition, each employee will have the opportunity to have a 1-1 consultation with an exercise professional that will assess their general state of health and set realistic targets to include weight, blood pressure and stress levels.
Extend Aerobics Class
These classes provide recreational movement to music for men and women over sixty and for less able people of all ages. The aim of the class is to promote health, increase mobility and independence, improve strength, coordination and balance and to counteract loneliness and isolation, thereby enhancing the quality of life. These classes take place.
These classes take place all over the district at various locations. For more information contact Claire Stagg on 07786 003993
Useful Links
Extend - www.extend.org.uk
Healthy Eating
Healthy eating is important if we want to look after our bodies and make sure we have a good balanced diet. Eating is a very enjoyable part of our life. It doesn't mean you have to give up all the nice food that you like such as sweets, chocolate and cheese. It just means getting the right balance.
There are many different types of food and all of them provide essential nutrients and vitamins to make the body work.
The Balance of Good Health is a pictorial food guide showing the proportion and types of foods that are needed to make up a healthy balanced diet. The Balance of Good Health has been produced by the Food Standards Agency as a guide that aims to help people to understand and enjoy healthy eating. It is achieving the right balance and variety of foods that is important for health.
The types of food we eat can be divided into several categories; milk and dairy foods; meat, fish and alternatives; foods containing fat and foods containing sugar. Foods from the largest groups should be eaten most often and foods from the smallest group should be eaten least often. The guide is shaped like a dinner plate which has been designed to make healthy simpler to understand and interpret.
Fruit and vegetables - These types of food are very important in our diet. The Department of Health recommends that we eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day so that we reduce the risk of getting heart disease and some cancers.
Bread, cereals and potatoes - These types of food are known as starchy foods and should make up a large part of our diet. We must be careful though, because if we add oil to fry food like chips or lots of butter to bread we increase the fat content. These types of foods include; bread, rolls, pizza, pasta, rice, oats and noodles
Milk and dairy products - These types of foods contain calcium, which is vital for keeping our bones strong and healthy. These foods include Milk, cheese and yoghurt.
Meat and fish - These foods provide plenty of protein which is needed for growth and repairing the body. These types of foods include beef, pork, ham, lamb, chicken and fish.
Useful Links
Food Standard Agency - www.food.gov.uk
Stress
Everyone reacts differently to situations and one person's challenge can be another's stress. Many people thrive under pressure, but when pressure becomes stress it can have an impact on your health.
Symptoms of stress
You may start to experience headaches, nausea and indigestion. You may breathe more quickly, perspire more, have palpitations or suffer from various aches and pains such as: chest pains, feeling sick, restlessness, nervous twitches, muscle spasms, sleeping problems, cramps or muscle spasms, frequent crying, a tendency to sweat, fainting spells, pins and needles and lack of appetite.
When you are stressed you may experience many different feelings including anxiety, fear, anger, frustration, and depression. These feelings can themselves produce physical symptoms making you feel even worse.
In addition, you may also behave differently. For example, you may become withdrawn, indecisive or inflexible. There may be a change in your sexual habits, and even if you were previously mild-mannered you may suddenly become verbally or physically aggressive.
Managing Stress
Most people have their own coping mechanism to manage stress. Others may manage their stress through exercise, relaxation and hobbies etc. Your GP surgery can give you more information on exercise referral or books on prescription.
Useful Links
Stress Management Society - www.stress.org.uk
Physical Activity
Physical activity plays an important role in helping to stay fit and keep a healthy heart and body. There are many different types of physical activity that range from walking and gardening to playing sport. The types of physical activity you take part in depends on what you enjoy doing.
How much should I do? The current recommendation for adults is an accumulation of at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on at least five or more days a week.
Moderate intensity - means you breathe a little bit harder and feel a bit warmer than when not exercising. You should still be able to have a conversation. However if you can't say your telephone number in including dialing code without drawing breath, then you need to slow down a little bit.
It is important to note that the 30 minutes can be spread throughout the day e.g. two fifteen minute or three 10 minute sessions.
What can go wrong? If you fail to take part in regular physical activity your body may suffer in later life. These include: Coronary Heart Disease, Obesity (being overweight), Diabetes and arthritis.
Things to remember
It is important when taking part in physical activity that you follow a safe routine that prepares your body for exercise. The first thing you should do is to 'warm-up'. This involves slowly warming the body by doing light exercise and a few stretches for 5mins. This will help avoid injury. When you have finished the exercise you will need to 'cool down'. This is similar to the warm-up but this time you take it easy for the last 5mins during the activity and then stretch to finish. This will help flexibility and stop any muscular pain.
Alcohol
Whilst alcohol can be a source of pleasure and enjoyment, drinking too much or at the wrong times, can affect your health. To stay safe it is recommended that men have less than 3-4 units per day and women have less than 2-3 units per day.
It is generally accepted that one unit equals ½ pint of normal strength beer, or one small glass (125mls) of wine or one pub measure of spirit (25mls). Over the last few years the alcohol content in drinks has increased.
A pint of premium strength beer/lager is likely to contain 2.8 units while a 440ml can of super strength lager would contain 4 units.
Useful Links
Alcoholics Anonymous - www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of having a heart attack by two or three times compared with the risk to non-smokers.
On the 1st of July 2007, virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England were designated smoke-free. This means that it is now against the law to smoke in the indoor parts of places such as pubs, bars, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants, lunch rooms, membership clubs and shopping centres. Please Further Smokefree information.
Most of us know the health risks associated with smoking and that smoking kills over 120,000 people every year.
Research shows that giving up on your own without any nicotine replacement (NRT) or Zyban can be successful for a few. However, if you use NRT/Zyban together with support, this more than doubles your chances of successfully quitting and staying quit. NRT products and Zyban are all available on prescription and we can arrange with your doctor to provide you with these proven aids to quitting.
Gloucestershire Smoking Advice Service is a free NHS service provided by Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, which offers, support and advice to people who are motivated to quit smoking. They offer all smokers the opportunity to attend group sessions or see an adviser on a one-to-one basis either in your GP's surgery or at various locations throughout the county.
Perhaps you just wish to talk to someone about your smoking? If so, please give Gloucestershire Stop Smoking Advice Service a ring on 08454 220040. They have specially trained specialist advisers who are more than happy to give you advice and information.
Useful Links
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) - www.ash.org.uk
