Local chemist organises weekly weight loss programme

Health Matters Facilitator, Margaret Cunningham (above), pictured with two books she wrote about healthy eating for children. Margaret will be offering health and nutrition advice at Bradley Pharmacy on Northland Road next week.

Health Matters Facilitator, Margaret Cunningham, will be available to answer questions and offer advice from 10am to 12 noon on Friday, January 22.

The event is being organised by both Margaret and Bradley’s Chemists pharmacist, Emma Craddock.

“Margaret Cunningham and I kept running into one another at the same health events,” said Emma.

“It was after a few conversations with Margaret when I came up with the idea of brining her into the pharmacy to offer health advice. Margaret is very experienced when it comes to advice on nutrition and physical health so I am delighted she agreed to take part,” added Emma.

Anyone attending next Friday’s event will also be offered the chance to join the Bradley’s Pharmacy Weekly Weight Loss Programme.

Weight-loss hopefuls are then asked to keep an exercise and food diary.

Participants then attend weekly sessions at Bradley’s Pharmacy on the Northland Road where they are weighed and offered advice on healthy eating and exercise - and all for the small fee of £1 per week.

Emma has been a pharmacist with Bradley’s chemists for 12 years and is passionate about improving people’s health.

“Figures published for 2013/14 for the National Health Service (NHS) in Northern Ireland revealed that 61 per cent of adults were either over weight or obese,” she noted.

“Out of the total figure of people assessed, 37 per cent were deemed overweight and 24 per cent were categorised as obese.

“The obesity problem is putting a greater strain on the NHS than smoking and I believe that, through such initiatives as our information day with Margaret Cunningham, we can start to make a difference.”

Emma believes that providing people with the right information and advice can help them make decisions that can not just improve their lives but prolong them.

“There is so much conflicting information out there when it comes to diets.

“Some diets help people lose a lot of weight really quickly but they are not conducive to normal everyday life.

“A lot of what can lead to a healthier lifestyle is common sense - portion sizes, for example, can make a significance.

“I’m organising the information day to set up the weekly weight loss programme because I want to help people get healthy. I also want to do my bit to help ease the pressure on our medical professionals,” she concluded.