Nurses should be supported to make healthy changes
Slimming World has stressed the importance of understanding the struggles nurses and other healthcare professionals face to maintain a healthy weight, after research published this week by London South Bank University and Edinburgh Napier University found that 25.1 per cent of nurses and 14.4 per cent of other healthcare professionals are obese. The organisation has called for nurses to be treated with compassion and kindness and supporting them to make healthy changes.
Carolyn Pallister, Public Health Manager at Slimming World says: “Managing a healthy weight is something two in three of us struggle with, and the reality of a 24-hour service means that nurses and other healthcare professionals have even more obstacles to tackle – long shifts, irregular working, eating and sleeping patterns – all of which can impact on weight.
“Nurses can also have an additional emotional pressure. Many of them tell us they often feel uncomfortable raising the issue of weight. Many find it difficult talking to patients about their weight and health if they are overweight themselves. In actual fact, the experience of having struggled with their own weight can be a positive. It can give nurses an insight into the emotional issues of guilt and self-criticism that come with it, while accessing proven evidence-based support themselves can give them a greater understanding of the options to signpost patients to.
Many find it difficult talking to patients about their weight and health if they are overweight themselves. In actual fact, the experience of having struggled with their own weight can be a positive. It can give nurses an insight into the emotional issues of guilt and self-criticism that come with it, while accessing proven evidence-based support themselves can give them a greater understanding of the options to signpost patients to.
“Certainly nurses who would like help in managing their weight should be supported to make healthy changes. More healthy food options in the workplace, encouraging more flexible working and breaks to reduce stress, support to get more active or providing access to weight management services such as a Slimming World or other support groups are just some of the actions the NHS and other workplaces that employ health professionals could take. Supporting nurses who want to lose weight to make healthier choices could help to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity, as well as improve confidence in supporting patients, especially with weight issues which are, of course, so prevalent in wider society as well as the health profession.”
Megan McGee lost more than 5st with Slimming World so that she could be the healthiest version of herself in her role as nurse. She appeared on the This Morning sofa today talking to Phil and Holly about her experiences, and how she lost weight to set a healthy example to her patients and why it’s important to recognise that nurses are humans too and face many of the same challenges when it comes to managing a healthy weight.
Read Megan's story here: http://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/success-stories/megan-mcgee.aspx
