Residents at Shanti Court in Wandsworth, London, a sheltered housing scheme for the elderly run by ASRA Greater London Housing Association, are enjoying a healthier lifestyle thanks to a special course run by Wandsworth Teaching Primary Care Trust.
The eight-week weight management programme, run by Asmat Nisa from the Trust’s Public Health Department, covered all aspects of diet and healthy eating, with each of the participants receiving a certificate at the end of it from Trust Chairman Ian Reynolds .
In particular the course discussed the virtues of eating fresh fruit and vegetables at the expense of too many sugary, salty and fatty foods, with advice on menu planning and suggestions for exercise also given to the participants.
Asmat Nisa commented: “This course was based around the Asiatic diet with participants encouraged to swap recipes and learn from each other, and then put what they had learned into practice.”
The course was requested by the residents after an initial health needs assessment discussion.
Shanti Court Scheme Manager, Donald Seriki added: “We don’t see our role as just providing a place to live – the overall welfare of our residents is just as important and this is why we asked the Trust to arrange the programme.
“The immediate impact has been clear with the participants all taking much more care over their diet and several of them adopting a course of regular exercise as a result.”