Get a better life in 2008

A major health promotion research project has been launched by the University of Teesside. It aims to discover whether a community challenge project can help people living in one of the UK’s capitals of obesity to get a better life in 2008.

Supported by Middlesbrough’s Evening Gazette newspaper and Middlesbrough NHS Primary Care Trust, university researchers aim to lift the lid on people’s eating and exercise habits in the Tees Valley and discover whether a programme of small, but significant, interventions can make local people healthier.

The ‘Get a Better Life’ research project led by the University of Teesside’s Centre for Food, Physical Activity and Obesity aims to get at least 1,000 residents from Middlesbrough and the surrounding area to make two pledges - one small change to their diet (either linked to decreasing fat intake or increasing fruit and vegetable intake) and one small change to their physical activity levels.

Volunteers will be asked to work towards the pledges for one year and keep records at three key dates during the year which will then be analysed by the Teesside research team. The project is funded by a £½m research grant from the Food Standards Agency.

Details of the Teesside project were announced as the Government revealed its long-awaited national obesity strategy published on 23 January.

Professor Carolyn Summerbell, head of the University of Teesside’s Centre for Food, Physical Activity and Obesity, who is leading the Tees Valley research project, said: ‘The ‘Get a Better Life’ campaign incorporates many of the targets set out in the Government’s obesity strategy, published today’.

‘Key targets include promoting healthier food choices by reducing the consumption of foods high in fat and sugar, and building physical activity into our lives by getting people moving as a normal part of their day.

‘Creating incentives for better health by increasing the understanding and value people place on the long-term impact of decisions is highlighted in the Government’s obesity strategy, and this is where the pledge component of the ‘Get a Better Life’ campaign is unique.

‘The importance of personalised advice and support complements preventative care and treatment for those who already have weight problems; all key features of the Government’s obesity strategy.

‘People who take part in the ‘Get a Better Life’ campaign will get feedback on what they eat and do, and will be supported in terms of resources to enable them to stick to their pledge and stay healthy.’

Frances Hillier, ‘Get a Better Life’ project manager, explained: ‘Diet and physical activity data will be collected at the beginning of campaign, and at six and twelve months using an online computer program: the Synchronised Nutrition and Activity Program for Adults (SNAPA). This will help to give us a clearer picture of diet and physical activity behaviours among the adult population in the Tees Valley and to assess if the campaign has had any effect on these behaviours.’

Participants can sign up via the campaign website or with the help of a ‘Get a Better Life’ lifestyle helper. Information and support will also be provided by the campaign website which is being run in conjunction with the Evening Gazette. Get a Better Life Campaign website

Frances Hillier and Professor Summerbell explained why the project was so important.

‘Teesside has much work to do in improving its health record. We are failing the fitness test on levels of obesity and smoking.

‘Every year heart disease and strokes cause more than 500 early deaths on Teesside leaving people in some areas of Middlesbrough with the same average life expectancy as those in North Korea, Mongolia, Guatemala and Vanuata,’ said Professor Summerbell.

Frances added: ‘But we believe with ‘Get a Better Life’ we can work towards changing that and help the region become more healthy.

‘It would be wonderful in two or three years time if we can say we’re no longer the worst in the country and we are improving. That would be fantastic,’ said Frances, adding that the research aimed at improving diet and physical activity is the largest project of its kind carried out by the University.

Darren Thwaites, editor of the Evening Gazette, said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for people across the Tees Valley to live a healthier life.

‘Healthy eating and exercise are two key ingredients to living a better, fitter life. And working with the University of Teesside, we hope to see real improvements in our region’s health record.’

Peter Heywood, Director of Public Health for Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust and Middlesbrough Council, added: ‘This is an ambitious project across Teesside specifically looking at whether making a pledge to change your own lifestyle really makes a difference.

‘With such important challenges such as increasing levels of obesity and poor levels of physical activity generally, this could really help make a difference.’

Everyone who makes their pledges will receive a free support pack with a campaign T-shirt, water bottle, pedometer and information booklets in a drawstring bag at the start of the campaign. And those who complete at every data collection time-point will be rewarded by being entered into a prize draw with a chance to win a number of prizes including an iPod, Nintendo Wii, holiday vouchers, free gym passes, Marks and Spencer healthy hampers along with many other prizes, all kindly donated by local businesses and organisations in the Teesside area.

Data collection for the project will finish around Easter 2009, and the final project report will be produced in December 2009.

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