Weekly Desh desk, 26 Januaryr 2021: A recent England-wide survey revealed over 90% of South Asian adults have made the decision to make healthy changes in 2021, with 7 in 10 (68%) saying that they are motivated to make these changes due to coronavirus.1

In addition the survey found that 34% of those surveyed said they wanted to adopt a healthier lifestyle for their children/grandchildren, whilst 34% wanted to improve their health for their partner. The data also revealed the most common things people want to do differently in the new year are exercising more (52%) and eating more healthily (51%).

Currently over 56% of Asian adults are overweight or obese2, putting them at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from diseases including cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Despite the latest coronavirus restrictions, there are still lots of ways for people to make these healthier choices and Public Health England’s Better Health campaign encourages and supports adults in taking small steps towards a healthier lifestyle – whether it’s losing weight or getting more active.

The Better Health website offers a wide range of free NHS approved tools and tips to manage weight loss such as the NHS Weight Loss Plan, BMI Calculator, Easy Meals App, or to get more active such as Active 10 and the Couch to 5k programme.

The Better Health campaign also works in partnership with a number of weight management and physical activity partners who are providing both free and exclusive discounted offers.
Professor Kevin Fenton, London Regional Director at Public Health England, said: “In spite of the stresses and challenges we are facing as a result of COVID-19, it’s especially heartening to see that more people than ever are motivated to make positive changes and adopt a healthier lifestyle this new year.
“The Better Health website has plenty of healthy eating and physical activity tools, ranging from the NHS 12 Week Weight Loss Plan to the Couch to 5k programme, which helps users set achievable goals to improve their overall health and wellbeing.”
Professor Wasim Hanif, Professor of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Consultant Physician and Clinical Director in diabetes at University Hospital of Birmingham said: “As a community, we are more susceptible to certain diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Being overweight or obese can significantly increase the chances of becoming seriously ill with those diseases.
“The new year gives us the perfect opportunity to make small, healthy changes with the support of the Better Health campaign. I would highly recommend members of the South Asian community to use some of the practical and easy tools available on the Better Health website. If you can, get your family or loved ones involved. It can be a lot easier to make change when you have others supporting you.”
Vidya, 46, from Manchester, says: “When the previous lockdown was announced, the uncertainty around my restaurant business and not being able to do exercise as easily resulted in me putting on weight. I would like to change this, and be able to start running more in 2021. At the moment I go for brisk walking; I have never done a 5k, so this will be a big challenge for me this year – I am looking forward to keeping myself on a healthy path.”
PHE are working with (South Asian) healthcare professionals and other experts to ensure the campaign guidance and tools are culturally compatible with members of the community, as findings also revealed around 42% of South Asian adults said finding relevant information and tools to help guide better physical health is a big challenge.
Search ‘Better Health’ or visit nhs.uk/betterhealth for free tools and support to start leading a healthier lifestyle today.
ENDS
¹Omnigov, PHE Survey Life Changes Data based on 5000 Adults in England, December 2020. The Black and South Asian respondents were a boosted subsample of the nationally represented poll, and were therefore not weighted to be representative of the wider Black and South Asian population.
2Sports England, Active Lives Adult Survey – 2018-19, May 2020

About the Better Health campaign
The Better Health webpage (nhs.uk/BetterHealth) provides tools to help people manage their wellbeing including:
● Lose Weight using the NHS Weight Loss Plan app, BMI Calculator, Easy Meals App, Food Scanner App
● Get more active with the Couch to 5k programme and Active 10 App
● Reduce Alcohol Intake using the Drink Free Days App
● Quit Smoking utilising the Smokefree app and free Personal Quit Plan
● Look after Mental Health and Wellbeing using the Every Mind Matters’ Mind Plan

Search ‘Better Health’ or visit nhs.uk/betterhealth for free tools and support to start leading a healthier lifestyle today.