Healthy weight

Start your healthy weight journey with Gro Health

If you’re looking to lose weight and take control of your health, you could be eligible for free access to Gro Health, your new weight management service for West Northamptonshire residents.

To be eligible you must:

• be 18 years old or over
• be a resident in West Northamptonshire
• have a BMI of 30 or over, or a BMI of 27.5 or over for adults from black and ethnic minority communities

With Gro Health, you can get free access to digital or face-to-face support (depending on eligibility), which includes a structured 12-week support programme to help you lose weight, improve your health and reach your goals. 

Gro Health will also provide you continued support from a dedicated health coach for up to 12 months.

Check your eligibility and register

Alternatively, you can call 0330 133 0307.

Referrals can also come from health and care professionals.

Keeping a healthy weight

People who are underweight or overweight have a higher risk of diseases such as:

• coronary heart disease
• stroke
• type 2 diabetes
• some types of cancer
• arthritis
• back pain
• infertility
• hair loss
• anaemia

If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, or you want to find out whether you are a healthy weight, visit the Body Mass Index (BMI) on the NHS website.

It is important to keep in mind that the BMI calculator is limited in the things it can account for.

Our weight can fluctuate over the course of a day, let alone a week or a month, and is dependent on multiple factors. It is best to be within a healthy weight range, rather than aim for one fixed number.

If you feel at risk of, or have had an eating disorder, it may not be healthy for you to use the tool.

Other support available

Download the free NHS 12-week diet and exercise plan. The plan, which has been downloaded more than 4 million times, is designed to help you lose weight safely and maintain a healthier weight.

Finding it hard to stay motivated? Sign up for weekly weight loss email support from the NHS to keep you on track.

The National Diabetes Prevention Programme also operates in Northamptonshire, and your GP can refer you to the programme if they feel it is appropriate for you.

Referral reasons include:

• newly-diagnosed Type 2 diabetes
• chronic poor glycaemic control, HbA1c >69 mmol/mol or not achieving personal targets
• routine insulin start - patients should have self-glucose monitoring initiated prior to referral
• consideration for GLP1 therapy
• weight management, if you have a BMI over 30 (25 if you are Asian)

Grow, Cook, Eat project

The Grow, Cook, Eat Project is all about building capacity for healthy living in our communities. The champion training ‘Train the Trainer’ will enable you to grow and cook healthy food and share your new knowledge and skills to those around you. 

To find out more about local groups near you or if you are interested in training as a champion visit Grow, Cook, Eat.

Eating disorders

Patient Access runs a helpful blog on how to gain weight after suffering from an eating disorder as well as tips on healthy eating and managing mental health.

The NHS has a variety of helpful information that can assist you in the short term and long term on your road to recovery.

It offers advice on how to gain weight safely. You can also find information on the symptoms of, and how to treat, anorexia.

If you feel you are suffering from an eating disorder, it is important to get urgent help from your healthcare provider.

Last updated 21 August 2024