Provision of commercial weight management programmes

Source: Lancet, 22 October 2011, vol 378 (9801), pp 1444-1445

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Date of publication: 22 October 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: In most areas of England, referral to commercial weight managment programmes is now available, and a recent randomized controlled trial has shown this to be more effective than primary care management. However, weight management programmes run by primary care may still be needed as part of a wider range of provision to reach more patients.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum eResearch Briefing 27/10/11

Obesity is associated with fatal coronary heart disease independently of traditional risk factors and deprivation

Source: Heart (online first), 14 February 2011 

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Date of publication: 14 February 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Over 6000 men with hypercholesterolaemia participated in the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study BMI, and were followed up over 15 years. An analysis of the data suggests that obesity is associated with fatal, but not non-fatal, coronary heart disease, independently of other risk factors and deprivation.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum e-Research Briefing 3.03.2011

An epidemic of risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Source: The Lancet, 12 February 2011, vol 377(9765), pp 527

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Date of publication: 12 February 2011

Publication type: Editorial, Journal Article

In a nutshell: The three articles in this edition of  The Lancet have been published on behalf of the Global Burden of Metabolic Risk Factors of Chronic Diseases Collaborating Groups on BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol, respectively. They focus on national, regional and global trends in body-mass index, systolic blood pressure and serum total cholesterol 1980 – 2008, across 199 countries. An epidemic is clearly developing, but each risk factor is considered to be modifiable.

Length of publication: 1 page plus 3 related articles

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

WoW (Walk once a Week)

Source: Walk to School

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Date of publication: 2010

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: WoW stands for Walk Once a Week and is a year-round walking promotion scheme. The DH-funded regional scheme is delivered by Living Streets in partnership with school travel advisers and participating schools. It encourages parents and pupils to walk to school at least once a week throughout the school year. Children record how they travel to school and if they walk at least four times a month, they receive collectable badges. Seven local authorities in the northwest joined the scheme in September 2010.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Living Streets

A low intensity, community based lifestyle programme to prevent weight gain in women with young children

Source: BMJ, 2010, 341 (c3215)

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Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This study evaluated a community behavioural intervention in Australia. 250 mothers attended four interactive group sessions involving health messages, behaviour change strategies and group discussion. They also received monthly support via mobile phone text messages. After 12 months, the intervention group showed differences in weight loss and total cholesterol concentration compared to the control group.

Length of publication: 12 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Spare tyre health risk ignored – Active Fat campaigners

Source: BBC Health, 20th April 2010

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Date of publication: April 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A survey of 2085 people revealed that 97% were unaware of the health dangers of carrying excess weight around their waist. A wider waistline puts people at higher risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Three leading charities have launched the Active Fat campaign to raise awareness of the dangers, and to call for standard labelling on food.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Active Fat, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK

Drive to boost number of students playing sport

Source: Sport England

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Date of publication: March 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Sport England have announced £10m funding for an ‘Active Universities’ programme, to promote greater student participation in sport. It is thought half of university undergraduate students gain weight, a third gaining over a stone, and many who have previously participated in sport cease to do so during their student years. This initiative is aimed at removing barriers and encouraging young adults to maintain a healthier, more active lifestyle, for long-term health benefit.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgements: National Heart Forum Weekly e-news briefing 10 March 2010; The Independent 10 March 2010

Funding boost to get kids walking to school

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: 26 January 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The ‘Walk once a week’ scheme is run by the Living Streets charity. Children are rewarded with a collectable metal badge for each month they take part, walking to school at least one day per week.  It has been running very successfully for 6 years in every London borough, and is now being expanded to West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Tyne and Wear – areas with high rates of childhood obesity currently.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum Weekly e-News Briefing 27 January 2010

Fitness and fatness as mortality predictors in healthy older men

Source: Journals of Gerontology Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2009, 64A (6) p. 695-699

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Date of publication: June, 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: The aim of this study was to test the theory that high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and high body mass index (BMI) are associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and coronary heart disease among healthy older men. Data was used from participants of the Veterans Exercise Testing Study, to evaluate the interaction of their BMI and CRF.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Acknowledgement: Oxford Journals