Telford Healthy Living Campaign to Support Weight Loss

Telford residents are being offered advice on how to lose weight after research revealed many people don't know how to do it.

Those who sign up to the Healthy Telford Pledge will receive weekly online advice and support to set realistic goals.

Telford and Wrekin borough councillor Kelly Middleton, who is overseeing the project, said the borough had “higher than average numbers of children and adults who are overweight and obese”.

She said the aim is to help them “make small, simple changes in their lives.”

The city council's survey was carried out late last year and a Labour councillor said: “Residents were aware of the need to lose weight but felt embarrassed and stigmatised about it.”

“Some people didn't know how to work towards getting healthy,” she explained.

Senior healthcare worker Becky Proctor is working on the 12-week campaign and said one of the focuses was finding something personal to motivate people to sign up.

She said lack of motivation is often a major obstacle to change.

A private Facebook group has been set up for people to privately discuss their progress.