Pledge to improve your health this New Year

Islington residents are invited to make a “New Year pledge” to improve their health in 2017 – for example by drinking less alcohol or exercising more.

Islington Council is supporting Public Health England’s One You campaign, which encourages people to take positive steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

New analysis from Public Health England shows that eight out of 10 middle aged adults either weigh too much, drink too much or don’t exercise enough, with modern life held responsible for worrying increases in ill health amongst adults aged 40-60.

Nationally, 83 per cent of 40-60 year olds are either drinking too much, are inactive or are overweight or obese, and there has been a 16 per cent increase in the number of overweight or obese adults in the last 20 years. Diabetes rates have doubled among this age group in this period.

Residents are invited to first complete the free online How Are You quiz at www.oneyouislington.org or www.nhs.uk/oneyou to get a personalised health score and links to useful information, apps and services. More than 750 people in Islington have taken the quiz so far, and been directed to popular apps such as Couch to 5K, Alcohol Checker and Easy Meals. Residents can share pledges on Twitter with the hashtag #NewYearNewYou.

Cllr Janet Burgess, Islington Council’s lead member for health and wellbeing, has made a pledge to swim every month. Cllr Burgess said: “Lots of us have busy lives and work hard, which makes it hard to prioritise our health. The New Year is a great time to improve our lifestyle, and small changes can make a big difference. As a first step I’d encourage you to visit the One You Islington website and take the free How Are You online quiz, which gives you a health score and links to local services, information and apps.”