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Pharmacy pulls its weight

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Pharmacy pulls its weight

A community pharmacy programme has been shown to help patients lose weight, reduce their waist circumference and lower their blood pressure, according to new research published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy. Thirty-four pharmacies across four areas provided the service, which included health indicator measurements, lifestyle advice and motivational support, and the results were analysed by researchers at Nottingham University.After three months, a quarter of the participants had lost at least five per cent of their body weight, shedding 3.07kg on average and shaving 3.87cm off their waistlines.

At six months, average weight loss reached 4.59kg and waist sizes had reduced by 4.79cm, while patients’ systolic and diastolic blood pressure had fallen by 9.5 and 4.7mmHg respectively. “A weight management programme needs to be one that people can complete alongside their work and family commitments,” said study author Helen Boardman. “Pharmacies with their longer working hours may be an ideal place for some patients to obtain the support they need to assist them in losing weight.”

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