GLOUCESTERSHIRE residents have lost a combined weight of almost 5000 stone, the equivalent of two fire engines.

In Gloucestershire an estimated 22.9% of adults are obese and this has a major impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

A new pilot scheme set up by Gloucestershire County Council and NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group in September 2013 has meant healthcare professionals, such as GPs, nurses, therapists and staff working in Gloucestershire’s Healthy Living Pharmacies, can refer patients to Slimming World for twelve weeks of help.

The pilot was so successful that the county council has agreed to continue to fund the scheme until March 2016.

So far more than 6,000 local people have taken up the challenge to lose five per cent of their weight. 4,741 of those people have achieved a combined weight loss of 4,922 stones - the equivalent weight of two Dennis Sabre fire engines.

Cllr Andrew Gravells, cabinet member for public health, said, “Usually I hear weight loss compared to bags of sugar or blocks of butter, but because of the fantastic achievement of local people, we’re having to compare with one of the heaviest things around - fire engines!

“There’s a knock-on effect for families too. Sixty-nine per cent of slimmers said that other people in their household had also made positive changes to their lifestyle as a result of taking part in the scheme.

“Being seriously overweight impacts on health and wellbeing, often leading to expensive medical treatment later in life. Schemes like this are really good at helping us prevent illness in the first place.”

Deputy Clinical Chair of NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and local GP, Dr Andy Seymour said, “Obesity can have a major impact on the individual and the NHS as a whole.

“Tackling obesity was one of the five key priorities agreed by the Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Board and there was a shared desire to build a comprehensive network of support within local communities to help meet this major challenge.

“The results and feedback to date are extremely encouraging and we are pleased to see that so many people are benefiting. Looking ahead, we are keen to encourage more men to access the service.”