The “It takes 3 to shift a stone (3 mates, 3 months, 3 million steps)” weight loss competition was launched in February 2017. Teams of three people have been encouraged to aim for a sensible weight loss to achieve a healthy BMI through the support of friends, family and team members, with the goal of losing one stone each over three months. The team who, after one year, have lost and maintained the highest weight loss will win vouchers.

38 teams, 114 people in total, from the Butt to Barra signed up and 65 of them attended the three month weigh-in. The combined weight loss of all 65 people is a fantastic 604 lbs – which is just over 43 stone. This is an incredible achievement by all who are taking part. Nearly half of them have lost 5% of their weight, reducing their risk to develop heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

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Walking is the simple way to increase your physical activity levels. It’s an all round great activity for all ages and fitness levels, which can improve your health, help you lose weight, make you feel good and most importantly it’s free!

The ‘Walk 500 Miles Step Count Challenge’, launched by NHS Western Isles’ Health Promotion Department and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Sport and Health Division on 5^th May, encouraged both individuals and teams of three from the Butt to Barra aged 18 years and over to participate.

Through a Bronze, Silver and Gold challenge, individuals or teams of three could choose to walk a total of 7,500, 10,000 or 12,500 steps a day. Continue reading →

Check your Argos till receipts!

NHS Western Isles has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the Healthy Start scheme for pregnant women and families of young children up to four years old.

In association with Argos, every time a purchase is made, buyers will receive their till receipts carrying a colourful eye-catching promotion for the Healthy Start scheme.

The Healthy Start scheme was set up to ensure pregnant women, new mothers and young children, particularly those living on low incomes, can get free healthy foods and supplements. There are two separate entitlements: vitamins and vouchers. Continue reading →

Staff from the Health Promotion Department (Karen Peteranna and Norma Macleod) yesterday provided presentations on mental health and physical activity to a group of 30 people from the Point over 60’s friendship club (Cairdean og Allt nan Gall) in Ionad Stoodie, Garrabost.

The Big Fit Walk – Lewis, Harris and Uist Walks during June

Paths for All is a charity that champions everyday walking in Scotland and they are inviting people across the country to join them in the Big Fit Walk this June!

National Celebration Week ran from 19^th – 23^rd June and NHS Western Isles joined the celebrations around the Western Isles to promote the benefits of breastfeeding.

Led by the Maternal and Infant Nutrition group, the campaign aims to bring the conversation about breastfeeding to the fore and highlight the benefits to both babies and mothers. As well as having all the vitamins and nutrients that baby needs, breast milk also contains disease-fighting substances. Breastfeeding is also beneficial to mum – as well as being convenient and environmentally friendly it can help mum return to her previous shape and reduce the risks of some diseases.

Public stands were set up in Western Isles Hospital, Uist and Barra hospital and Stornoway Library. Pictured is the Western Isles Hospital display, with some of the midwifery team. Continue reading →

Health Promotion staff accepted an invitation to provide a short one-off programme of health walks to a Western Isles Hospital Occupational Therapy client who would benefit most from increasing their physical activity.