PEOPLE in the county carrying a few extra pounds may be pleased to hear that a free NHS weight management service is coming to mid-Essex.
Two programmes, Shape Up and My Weight Matters, offered by community healthcare provider, Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE), have already been trialled to successful results in north east Essex.
Alison Cook, Project Lead for Adult Weight Management at ACE, said: "There is no charge to attend our programmes. All we ask is that people are motivated and ready to make changes to their life.
"The programmes will be held initially at locations in Chelmsford, Braintree, Maldon and Witham during the day and evening so there should be a location and time to suit everyone. These programmes are not 'just another diet' and it's not just about losing weight short-term.
"Our programmes are proven to deliver long-term health benefits, including weight loss which stays off.
"They include the use of psychological approaches to help people overcome barriers which can get in the way when trying to change eating habits and increase physical ability. Programmes are run by trained facilitators with experience in helping people lose weight."
The programme looks at eating a healthy, balanced diet, managing portion size, physical activity and understanding food labels.
After this time, they can attend on a drop-in basis to be weighed and share their progress towards a healthier lifestyle for as long as they feel necessary.
A University of Essex study found that the programmes offered by ACE produced better results than one of the country's top slimming programmes.
The study, led by Dr Gavin Sandercock, compared how people fared on My Weight Matters with results from those attending a leading commercial weight-loss programme.
In his conclusions, Dr Sandercock said: "My Weight Matters is an effective intervention to promote significant weight loss.
"The continued weight loss at six months suggests that clients were continuing to use the behaviour changes learned during the programme."
For information about the service, call 0800 022 4524
