Healthy Living

Medway’s public health team runs a wide programme of activities and project to promote healthy living.

The MEND scheme, which stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It, aims to tackle childhood obesity by getting children and their families fitter, healthier and happier.

The free programme combines practical and fun learning about healthy eating with behaviour modification techniques, and fun games to stimulate an enjoyment of physical activity.

After completing the 10-week programme, graduates receive continued support and activities to help them maintain their new and improved lifestyles.

MEND currently runs in Chatham, Chattenden, Gilllingham Upnor and Walderslade and is open to any child aged seven to 13 who is overweight or obese but otherwise healthy.

The Supporting Healthy Weight team also runs a weight-loss programme called Tipping the Balance.  The GP-referral service aims to help people to lose weight, increase their activity and improve their self-esteem.

Participants attend clinics offering medical assessments, advice, counselling and support. Activities on offer include supermarket tours, cookery classes, and walking groups, all encouraging members to socialise and get healthy.

The public health team supports the national Change4Life campaign programme in Medway. Change4Life is the government campaign to encourage the whole country to eat well, move more and life longer.

Visit the national website for ideas and information about getting more active and eating more nutritionally.

For more information about local healthy living schemes, contact the Public Health Team on 01634 333016.