Better Health campaign launched to help people lose excess weight

The Public Health England (PHE) has launched a Better Health campaign to encourage adults to lose excess weight, eat more healthily and get active this summer.

The new campaign offers free guidance to those working towards a healthier weight through a variety of NHS endorsed apps, including the newly updated NHS Weight Loss Plan app.

Public health minister, Jo Churchill, said: “The brilliant Better Health campaign returns today and provides a wide range of tools – including an easy to use phone app – to support people, whether that’s losing weight, sharing healthier recipes or motivating people to be more active.”

The move follows a nationwide survey of over 5,000 adults which revealed that over 41 per cent of adults in England have put on weight since the first lockdown in March 2020.

It further revealed that unhealthy eating habits, like snacking and comfort eating, were the main contributor to weight gain during the pandemic.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist, Public Health England said: “The past sixteen months have caused many to change their habits, so it is not a surprise to see so many people reporting weight gain.

“We know how hard it can be to lose weight and keep it off – so, we are providing a range of support options to help motivate people and help them maintain a healthy weight.”