Healthy Living Week 2008 encourages the Imperial College community to embrace healthy living

Staff and students offered the chance to take up a new sport and try new food - News

Tuesday 4 November 2008
By Naomi Weston

Leading a healthy life is the theme at Imperial College London this week as students and staff take part in Healthy Living Week from Monday 3 November to Friday 7 November.

The College community will have the opportunity to try a new sport, take a body health MOT and receive advice on making healthy choices in their everyday lives.

Healthy Living Week is a collaboration between Sport Imperial, the College’s sport and leisure services, the Imperial College Union and the College’s catering services.

Staff from Ethos, the College’s sports centre, will be carrying out basic health tests such as measuring weight, BMI, body fat percentage and blood pressure. They will also be giving advice and tips on how to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Launched in 2007, the week is now an annual event. Neil Mosley, Head of Sport Imperial, said: “Working and studying in a dynamic environment like Imperial can be tough on the brain so keep it fit and well nourished by eating a balanced and healthy diet. We have experts on hand who can show you how to cook well too.”

He added: One of the aims of the week is to highlight the services provided by the College including sport services. Our message this week is to have a try at a new way of keeping healthy and fit. You could try anything from handball to climbing.”

The College community will have the opportunity to try a new sport for example fencing

Imperial College Union is also joining in, with many of its clubs and societies offering free taster sessions including table tennis, indoor hockey, netball, capoeira, fencing and salsa. In addition, the Union’s vegetarian society will be handing out vegetarian snacks and recipes.

Lily Topham, Deputy President for Clubs and Societies at the Union, said: “Healthy Living Week is a great chance to get involved and find out what our clubs and societies have to offer They are open for both staff and students to join and you can sign up to as many as you like.”

The catering department have also been involved this week with food outlets selling smoothie samples. There will be a different healthy hot meal each day in certain outlets and College chefs will also be giving cooking demonstrations to inspire students with new healthy recipes.

Lindy Jamieson, Head of Catering Operations, said: “Catering is very keen to be involved and support College wide events such as Healthy Living Week. All of our Catering outlets aim to provide a choice for students, staff and visitors to the college. With people becoming more health conscious, there is a real need to offer healthy options whether it be grab and go items or plated hot and cold meals served on campus.”

To end the week there will be a walk, jog or run event for all levels of fitness in Hyde Park. Students and staff can choose to either walk 1km, jog 3kms or run 5kms. Everyone who takes part will receive a certificate of achievement from the College.

For more information and a timetable for events please see: Healthy Living Week

For more information on Imperial College Union please see: www.imperialcollegeunion.co.uk/