Whether you're trying to live a healthier life, get in shape or lose weight, eating well has lots of benefits. From improving your health, preventing illness, and saving you money, there are lots of reasons to eat well. Healthy changes start with little changes.
Do you know if you are a healthy weight?
You may want to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy.
If you don’t have a set of scales at home, you can visit your local community pharmacies or local leisure centres to get your height and weight measured. Alternatively, you could ask when you next visit your GP surgery.
If you know your height and weight you may want to try the Body Mass Index (BMI) healthy weight calculator from the NHS website.
You can use your BMI result as a starting point for further discussion with a GP about your weight and general health.
Some weight management programmes require a BMI above a certain number for eligibility, so it is a useful piece of information to know about yourself.
Support and advice for adults
There is a lot of support available if you are trying to get to a healthy weight. Some of this support is online and some of it is local or accessed via your GP or health professional.
Community weight management programmes
Eligible residents can access our community weight management programme so that residents can get professional support alongside other people who are on a similar journey to reach a healthy weight.
Bromley Council is working with Slimming World to offer a free 12-week weight management programme to support individuals. Referrals are via a Bromley GP Practice, self-referral.
Who is it suitable for?
- Over 18’s (no upper age limit)
- Have a BMI of 30 or above (or 27.5 or above for people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds)
- Individuals must be registered with a Bromley GP
You are not eligible for the free service if you are pregnant, have a diagnosed eating disorder, or have been a paid member of a weight management organisation in the last 6 months.
The Tier 3 weight management programme with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is an intensive 1-year weight management programme for individuals who are severely overweight and registered with a GP in Bromley.
The programme includes nutrition education and advice, and the option of a meal replacement plan for the first 3 months.
Who is it suitable for?
- Over 18's
- BMI 40 or above or BMI 35 or above with Type 2 Diabetes
- Individuals must be registered with a Bromley GP
Online/Digital services and tools
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme supports adults living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, or both, to manage their weight and improve their health. It is a 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme.
Referrals can only be made by trained health care professionals from your GP surgery or a local Pharmacist.
Who is it suitable for?
- Over 18's
- Has a BMI of 30 or above (or 27.5 or above for people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds)
- Have a diagnosis of diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) or hypertension, or both.
This programme is not suitable for individuals:
- Currently pregnant
- Diagnosed with an eating disorder
- Significant unmanaged comorbidity (e.g. diabetes or hypertension)
- Bariatric surgery within the past 2 years
- Moderate/severe frailty (as recorded on frailty register)
- For patients aged 80 or over, further supporting information requested from GP to ensure suitability.
The NHS 12-Week Weight Loss Plan is a free 12-week diet and exercise plan delivered online. It helps you start healthier eating habits and be more active.
The Heart UK healthy eating guide is a cholesterol lowering guide available on Heart UK’s website.
Commercial weight loss programmes in Bromley: (fees apply)
MAN v FAT Football is a weight loss programme combining the beautiful game with easy to follow diet and lifestyle advice along with 24/7 support. It is based at Bromley Football Club and is available for men with BMI of 27.5 or over.
Mytime Active is a fully supported 12-week weight management course that aims to give you the skills to change the way you think and feel about managing your weight, leading to a fitter, healthier, and happier you.
Weight Watchers is a scientifically proven programme for weight loss and wellness. WW offers digital, studio and personal coaching solutions to help meet your goals.
Slimming World is a weight loss programme focused on healthy eating and lifestyle changes. Slimming World provides a range of resources and support to help you plan and track your meals. If you meet the criteria listed above, you may be able to access Slimming World for free. Call directly and check your eligibility - 01773483253.
Healthy ways to gain weight
Gaining weight can be difficult for some people, visit the NHS website for more information.
Talk to your Health Professional for further advice if you’re concerned about being underweight.
Support and advice for young people and families
Introducing good habits at a young age will help to promote healthy growth in children and lead to a healthy weight. There are a lot of online resources to help you with this:
Better Health – Start for Life
You will find all the trusted NHS advice and guidance you need to help you have a healthy and happy baby during pregnancy, birth, and parenthood in the Better Health website. There is local support for families in our infant feeding clinics.
Better Health – Healthier Families
Better Health exists to motivate and enable people to lead active and healthy lives. It's there to support and encourage all of us in taking steps to improve our physical and mental health, by eating well and moving more. You can also sign up to receive personalised emails from NHS Healthy Steps. When it comes to eating well and being active, taking one small step after another can soon add up to make a big difference. Join today and get loads of easy tips, tasty recipes on a budget and much more, straight to your inbox.
Your child’s weight
For more support managing your child’s weight, please visit Change4Life for some simple, practical tips. You can also seek help from a health professional.
Better Health - Sugar Smart helps to cut back on sugar by making a few simple swaps to your everyday food and drinks.
Better Health - 10 Minute Shake Up Games gets the kids moving with these fun games inspired by some of their favourite Disney characters. These boredom-busting activities will help them reach the 60 active minutes they need every day!
Better Health - Food Scanner App is a quick way to scan your family's favourite foods, you can find healthier swaps for next time you shop.