Healthy eating and healthy weight

There are a number of ways to access healthy food affordably if you meet certain criteria, such as claiming benefits.

• free school meals
• healthy start
• food banks

Food Banks

Area	Contact	Address	Opening Hours
Rugby	Diana Mansell 01788 553900	New Life Church, 1 Temple Buildings, Railway Terrace Christchurch Brownsover in Bowfell	Monday and Friday 10:30 – 12:30 Friday 14:30 – 16:15
Stratford on Avon	Alex Homes 01789 266316	Parish Centre, Old Town, Stratford United Reform Church, Rother Street	Monday 12:00 – 14:00 Friday 12:00 – 14:00
Kenilworth	Yvonne Wheeler and Ken Pollard 07532 064801	Jubilee House, Kenilworth	Tuesdays and Fridays 12:00 – 14:00
Bedworth & Keresley	Diane Randle 02476 317459	Baptist Church, Bedworth Keresley Community ChurchLife Church Bedworth	Tuesday 09:30 – 12:30pm Friday 09:30 – 12:30 Wednesday 12:00 – 14:30
Nuneaton	Carole Sparkes 02476 382577	Manor Court Baptist Church Holy Trinity, AttleboroughSt. Paul’s, Stockingford	Monday & Thursday am Wednesday & Friday pm Tuesday & Friday am

Your body is not designed to carry extra weight. Losing weight can improve your health in a number of ways, particularly if you suffer from a condition such as high blood pressure, heart problems, cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, sleeping difficulties, snoring and back pain. We also know low self-esteem, confidence and general wellbeing may be improved by weight loss.

Adults – weight management support services in Warwickshire

Weight Busters (Nuneaton and Bedworth)
Weight Busters is run in a very similar way to a commercial slimming class but promotes healthy lifestyle and not faddy diets. They link in with other health organisations and partners.

Brunswick Healthy Living Network (Leamington Spa)
Brunswick Healthy Living Centre is a registered Charity which has its core ethos and reason for existing to provide services connected to health and wellbeing. It has an holistic approach with core themes of: Physical, mental and economic health; healthy eating; information & advice; and supported living.
Remember, being a healthy weight does not necessarily equal being fit and healthy, so keeping active (link to keeping active page) is also important.

According to the latest 2011/12 NCMP data, 8% of Reception age and 17% of Year 6 children in Warwickshire are classified as being obese. Both these figures are statistically significantly lower than both the West Midlands Region and England equivalent figures.
If you have a child who is primary school age and is overweight, you and your child/children may be able to access support in your local area. One child needs to be overweight to access the service. A parent/carer must attend and siblings are welcome too.
As well as talking to your health professional (pharmacist, GP, consultant, school nurse, health visitor, practice nurse, dentist and midwife etc.), you can directly contact the following people in your local area for support.

Overweight in childhood services

If you’re overweight you may have problems getting pregnant, and if you’re having fertility treatment it’s less likely to work. Being overweight or obese (having a BMI over 30) also raises the risk of some pregnancy problems, such as high blood pressure, blood clots, miscarriage and gestational diabetes. Before you get pregnant you can use the BMI healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI. But once you’re pregnant this may not be accurate, so consult your midwife or doctor instead.
Having a healthy diet and getting moderate exercise are advised in pregnancy, and it’s important not to gain too much weight. You can keep to a healthy weight by eating a healthy diet and getting exercise.