Healthier, happier and active lifestyles for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Women

Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) women in the East of England have been identified as being less likely to be physical active at the recommended level for adults. Evidence also shows that South Asian (Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Pakistani descent) are at high risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Working in partnership with local organisations, the NHS Norfolk Health Inequalities Specialist have developed a number of new initiatives specifically aimed at encouraging women from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities in Norfolk, to adopt active lifestyles and healthy eating.

Forthcoming events:
Diabetes Awareness days for the BME communities organised by Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Diabetes Nurse Facilitators. 

Find out more about each of the following projects. Link to new page with the following projects:

• Healthier, happier and active lifestyles for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Women
• Swimming sessions for BME
• Joy of food

Healthier, happier and active lifestyles for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Women – More about the projects

Working in partnership with local organisations, the NHS Norfolk Health Inequalities Specialist have developed the following new initiatives, specifically aimed at encouraging women from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities in Norfolk, to adopt active lifestyles and healthy eating.

Swimming sessions for BME

NHS Norfolk Health Improvement Team (Health Inequalities), Active Norfolk, Norfolk County Council (Children Services), local schools and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) charities are working in partnership to facilitate inclusive swimming sessions for women. The sessions initially targeted refugee women from the Congolese community (Gateway Project), but have now broadened to include all women from BME communities such as Bangladeshi, Iraq and migrants.

Many women from various BME communities experience cultural and religious barriers to activities like swimming. The sessions provide an environment where as many as possible of these barriers have been removed, such as:

• Female coaches.
• Clothing flexibility.
• Restriction on the pool areas while the sessions take place.

The sessions have initially been free, so as many women as possible can benefit.

What’s stopping you from being more active?

Do you wish you were involved in more exercise, leisure and recreational activities? According to the research, many Black and Minority Ethnic women do, but a variety of barriers are getting in the way.

Lots of us struggle with the idea of doing exercise. It might be that we feel we’re too busy, lack opportunities or can’t afford it. Many BME women also believe that they don’t have enough social support from friends and family, or that they need more assistance from professionals to use gym equipment with confidence.

The good news is that activity can easily be built into your day. Many people find that if they start to move around a bit more and eat more healthily, they lose a bit of weight and start to feel better, sleep better and have more energy. It also decreases our chances of suffering a stroke or getting heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

All movement counts, but whatever you chose make sure it fits you and your lifestyle, and is something you enjoy. For some ideas to get you going, visit www.nhs.uk/Change4Life and register for a free adult welcome pack.

Swimming sessions

Swimming Classes take place every Tuesday evening 7 p.m. at City Academy Norwich. To book a place or for more information email:

• Margareth.Rungarara-Keenan@norfolk.nhs.uk

Joy of Food

Through NHS Norfolk, Joy of Food project, they have been working in partnership with Ormiston Gypsy &Travellers’ Initiative, refugees (NHS Gateway Project) and the Norfolk and Norwich Bangladeshi Welfare Association to provided culturally appropriate cooking sessions that promote healthy changes.

Language barriers hinder many people from understanding information that talks about the links between diet and disease. As a minimum, BME communities need to know nutritional recommendations so they can consider the food they are eating and make the best food choices.

This work focuses on women because evidence shows that they have a significant influence on the development of lifestyle habits in the family and community.

Lose weight and feel healthy without giving up all the things you love

Being overweight isn’t just about the way we look. It can lead to more aches and pains, problems sleeping and some people report a loss of energy and confidence. It also increases our chances of suffering a stroke or getting heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

But it’s not always easy to know where to go for advice on making healthy changes, and research has shown that this is particularly the case for BME communities.

One of the best ways to be healthy is to make small swaps and build them into your life for the long term. The more you do, the better you’ll feel – and you won’t have to say ‘no’ to everything.

Change4Life has developed 6 simple ways to swap some of the things you eat, drink and do for healthier choices. Free information packs are available from the Change4Life BME helpline on 0300 123 1099. Packs include an English/Urdu or English/Bengali information booklet with tips and healthy traditional recipes for Pakistani and Bangladeshi families. A booklet for West African families is also available (in English). For more information on Change4Life visit www.nhs.uk/Change4Life.

Joy of Food sessions
What’s more, you don’t have to stop eating your traditional food. The Joy of Food, a free community cooking programme, can arrange classes to teach healthier versions of your regular dishes. To find out if a class is running near you, call 01603 257219 or email joyoffood@norfolk.nhs.uk.