People in Sheffield are being invited to check their Body Mass Index (BMI) as part of National Obesity Awareness Week from 12-18th March

By logging on to www.thepeoplesmovement.co.uk, visitors to the website can use the online BMI calculator to check if they need to lose weight or maintain their current healthy weight. Through a simple calculation of height and weight, people can get a good idea of how excess body fat can be associated with health risks. The calculator can tell whether a person’s weight is within the healthy BMI range of 20-25. A BMI of 19 or below is underweight, 25-30 is overweight, and over 30 is obese.

The People’s Movement, Sheffield’s physical activity campaign, is highlighting National Obesity Week as part of its aim to enable people to become more physically active as an important part of weight management.

The People’s Movement campaign website also provides information on a range of activities taking place in communities across the city, as well as tips on activities people can do in the comfort of their own homes.

Being physically active is not just about playing sport or joining a gym. Any substantial movement of body weight, such as steps walked, stair-climbing, and ‘lifestyle activities’ such as housework, gardening and walking the dog, can contribute to energy expenditure and weight management.

Over a quarter of people who are classed as overweight or obese are unaware of the health benefits brought about by being physically active and eating a balanced diet.

Being physically active is also important in preventing other diseases such as coronary heart disease, strokes and diabetes. It is recommended by The Chief Medical Officer that adults participate in 30 minutes of exercise every day. This can be achieved in 3 ten minute blocks across the day through brisk walks.

Sheffield has over 200 parks and woodlands, world class sports facilities, and close proximity to the Peak District, meaning that it has never been easier to find something that fits into people’s lifestyles.

Walking at a moderate pace for 30-60 minutes burns stored fat and can build muscle to speed up your metabolism.

In the early 1980s 6 of men and 8% of women in the UK were obese. The latest (Henderson et al. 2003) figures for Great Britain show that 42% of men and 32% of women are overweight (i.e. have a BMI between 25 and 30), and 25% of men and 20% of women are obese (BMI>30).

Obesity tends to be more common among people aged 40-60 years and those from lower income groups. Today, more adults are obese than ever before. The number of obese children is also increasing. According to the Health Survey for England, 5.5% of boys and 7.2% of girls, aged 2-15 years, were obese in 2002. Overall, over 1 in 5 boys (21.8%) and 1 in 4 girls (27.5%) is either overweight or obese using recent international classifications.