Weight management
Your weight can affect your health in a variety of ways. What defines a healthy weight depends on many factors such as age, gender, fitness levels, genetics and many more. Therefore, a healthy weight is a different number for everyone.
People who are underweight or overweight have a higher risk of diseases such as:
- heart disease;
- stroke
- type 2 diabetes
- some types of cancer
- arthritis
- 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.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes blood sugar levels to become too high.
Type 2 diabetes can cause a range of long term and extreme symptoms if not treated:
- kidney failure
- stroke
- heart disease
- blindness
- clogged blood vessels
- abnormally high blood glucose which can lead to death
Low blood sugars can cause:
- feeling dizzy and weak
- excessive sweating
- blurred vision
- confusion
- a sudden feeling of excessive hunger
High blood sugars can cause:
- increased urination
- increased thirst
- headaches
- fatigue
If you are concerned about developing type 2 diabetes, you can check out your risk and access a range of support services on the NHS website:
The National Diabetes Prevention Programme operates in Northamptonshire, and your GP can refer you to the programme if they feel it is appropriate for you.
How we can help
We offer a variety of support to aid you in being within your healthy weight range.
The Nutrition and Dietetics service for Northamptonshire offers evidenced-based dietary advice to all ages, both in the community and in hospital. Learn more about what the Nutrition and Dietetics service can do for you.
West Northamptonshire Weight Management service
If you're struggling to achieve a healthy weight, we will fund a 12-week course to support you reach your health goals.
The Northamptonshire Weight Management service offers referrals via Slimming World and Northampton Town Football Club. It can also offer access to a digital service delivered by Solutions for Health.
Virtual support may require participants to download an app to their phones.
The support of the service and the funding it offers have helped many people achieve a healthier weight and have had life changing results.
James is just one of the people who have achieved a healthier lifestyle since he first started Slimming World, with help from our funding. You can find out more about his journey below.
Watch James' journeyEligibility criteria
We have some eligibility criteria to help us support people in the right way.
You must:
- have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 or above
- live in Northamptonshire
- not be pregnant
- be 18 years of age
- not have been a paying member of a weight management service in the last 3 months
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, the provider can decline your application.
Slimming World
Slimming World offer fully funded referrals, for 12 consecutive weeks, with the Consultant of your choice at one of our many local venues.
You'll find:
- you can eat lots of normal, everyday food with no worries about weighing or measuring – and you'll never have to go hungry
- your weight is never disclosed
- a friendly and highly trained Consultant to run your group who will guide and support you during your referral
- there are no strangers – only friends you haven't met before – all with the same hopes and dreams who are ready to help you fulfil yours
Telephone: 01773 309252 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6:30pm)
Northampton Town Football Club
Take part in 12 weekly sessions at your local football club, where you can meet other football fans on the same journey as you. Learn how to make better choices to improve your lifestyle and health and take part in physical activity sessions.
Contact: Akshay Mistry
Telephone: 07876 355107
ShapeUp4Life Digital provider
ShapeUp4Life is available as a mobile app and online virtual classes. Learn about making healthier food choices, getting more active, managing triggers and more in our comprehensive 12-week programme.
You'll get:
- a personalised dashboard
- unlimited access to our free recipes and snack ideas
Developed by our expert nutritionists and the NHS, these healthy foods contain a balanced mix of nutrients helping you to eat well and enjoy your meals.
Download ShapeUp4Life for Android
How to contact us
If you have any problems contacting your provider, please email [email protected] and we will contact your provider.
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.
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.
They offer advice on how to gain weight safely.
You can also find information on the symptoms of, and how to treat, anorexia.
If you are still in the midst of an eating disorder, it is important to get urgent help from your healthcare provider.
Last updated 10 November 2023