900 take ‘better life’ pledge on Teesside

Over 900 volunteers have taken the pledge to ‘Get a better life’ in a research project led by the University of Teesside's Centre for Food, Physical Activity and Obesity.

Participants make two pledges – a 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. The eventual aim is to involve 1,000 Teessiders during 2008 and 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.

The £500,000 research project for the Food Standards Agency is being enthusiastically supported by Middlesbrough’s Evening Gazette newspaper, which has helped to get the message out to local residents, and by the Middlesbrough NHS Primary Care Trust.

Volunteers are asked to keep records during the year which will then be analysed by the Teesside research team.

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

She adds: ‘Creating incentives for better health by increasing the understanding and value people place on the long-term impact of decisions was 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.’

Frances Hillier, ‘Get a Better Life’ project manager, said: ‘We are extremely pleased that so many people have signed up to the campaign.  Health is obviously a very important issue to people living in the Tees Valley and we appreciate the time and effort that people have made and we wish them every success with their pledges.’

She explained that diet and physical activity data is being collected 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. People taking part in ‘Get a Better Life’ 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.’

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.’

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 & Spencer healthy hampers along with many other prizes, donated by local businesses and organisations in the Teesside area.

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