A 'Small Change' can make a 'Big Difference'

27/04/2006

West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is backing a national public health campaign which encourages people to make minor changes in their lifestyles to give them a better chance of living longer, healthier lives.

‘Small change, big difference’ is aimed at adults with a message that it is never too late to start and that even small changes in diet and physical activity can make a difference.

Director of Public Health for West Gloucestershire PCT, Dr Hugh Annett said:

“The message that small changes are not only a step in the right direction but have proven benefit in themselves is an important one.”

“There is now clear evidence that people should not be put off making a change, just because they don’t consistently manage the full 5 a day fruit and vegetable intake or participate in 30 minutes a day of extra exercise.”

This is supported by research from the Clinical Gerontology Unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. The research has identified that day to day activities, including what you do at work and at home, can extend a person’s life by up to three years.

Campaign material shows that the maximum amount of additional exercise people need to do to get the most health benefit, could depend largely on the type of job they do.

Small change, big difference provides a list of professions with a guide to the maximum daily amount of physical activity people should be doing. There are tips on how to gradually becoming more active.

Doing more physical activity doesn’t necessarily mean having to go to the gym. The campaign offers a number of suggestions for building exercise into the daily routine. Examples include going for a walk at lunchtime or getting off the bus a stop or two early and walking to your destination.

As part of healthy eating, there are tips on getting that extra portion of fruit or serving of vegetables each day.

Ideas include having a glass of fruit juice when you are feeling thirsty instead of tea, coffee or a fizzy drink, adding some salad to at least one meal each day or if you have a pizza topping it with extra vegetables.

Dr Annett:

“This is not about people making one big forced change to their lives overnight. It’s about building up gradually.”

“For example just eating one piece of fruit or serving of vegetables a day is better than eating none at all. We want to encourage people to make a positive impact on their lifestyle by making that small change today.”

Information on the ‘Small change, big difference’ campaign can be found on the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk. It includes tips on healthy eating, physical activity and scientific research which shows that ‘small changes’ really can contribute to a longer life.