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Get ready to get fit

Helen Clifton
25/ 4/2008

GREATER Manchester is one of the unhealthiest areas in the country.

Around one in 10 reception class children in Trafford are clinically obese, while a massive 52 per cent of all adults in Wythenshawe smoke.

Across the region, the numbers of people suffering from heart and liver disease are some of the highest in England and Wales. It’s time we all did something to alter these statistics.

This doesn’t have to involve going to the gym every day or completely changing your lifestyle. Instead, small and steady steps could be all it takes for your health and wellbeing to dramatically improve.

Over the next 12 months, the Metro News – together with the Greater Manchester Association of Primary Care Trust’s I Love Me campaign – will feature a series of articles showing you how to make these adaptations.

Instead of bombarding you with healthy living advice that doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle, we'll give you local examples of people who have taken the first step to becoming healthier, or can help you do the same.

Councillor Pat Karney, NHS director of Smoke Free Greater Manchester, says he wants I Love Me to be the biggest campaign to save lives and permanently improve public health ever to hit the county.

"The health statistics for our area are absolutely shocking," he adds.

"We have really got to look at pushing to prevent kids from starting to smoke in the first place. We need the help of every parent and adult in Greater Manchester to refer their sons or daughters to our smoking services."

Elizabeth Burns, public health development advisor for alcohol, adds that binge drinking is on the increase across Greater Manchester.

"We often hear that alcohol can be good for you, but that is only in men above 40 and post-menopausal women, and even then only if it is one to two units," she says.

"Over-indulging can lead to depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and increased incidences of breast, mouth and bowel cancer.

"This campaign will show people the benefit of doing something early to improve their health, rather than waiting until it is too late."

Positive changes could include eating a little less salt, drinking fewer pints or making sure your children aren’t exposed to cigarette smoke; being regularly screened for any health problems, for peace of mind; eating fresh, healthy and affordable food, while cutting down on cigarettes; and ensuring that, no matter how old you are, you enjoy a breath of fresh air and regular exercise. With these small steps, hopefully more people in Greater Manchester will start – and continue – to lead healthier, happier lives.