2006 Obesity Awareness Week
12th - 18th March, 2006 Marked this years Obesity Awareness Week, and what a busy week we had here at TOAST!
To find out what has been happening, click on the sections below…
Read the rest of this entry »
TOAST - what does that mean?
It stands for The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust. We are a charity that helps people who have problems with their weight and the food they eat.
We offer support and information and also help you to develop ways of dealing with people who do not understand what it’s like to be overweight.
We have Members of Parliament asking questions in the House of Commons about the care of people who are overweight.
We make sure that your views are expressed to the right people by taking your opinion to people who make decisions. We let them know how you feel and what you need.
Who is this website for?
You. If you want to think about your weight, read about some of the things you might be going through right now and learn ways to deal with life.
We here at TOAST want you to be happy, whether you’re at school or at home; whether you are playing football or having a dance. This website is a tool for you to use as often as you like.
We bet you don’t feel quite so bad when you see that you’re not alone in the way you sometimes feel.
Using the Site:
To access the specialist help and advice we offer here, simply take a look at the panel on the right.
This isn’t like working through a manual - you can pick whichever article most interests you, and read them in any order you like.
These articles will give you the tools and skills to deal with the things that might be getting you down - weight issues, bullying, self-confidence; whatever it is that you are having trouble with.
Please let us know your views - you can tell us what you think by emailing us at:
youngpeople@toast-uk.org.uk
If you cannot find the help you want here, you can email us in confidence - we will do our level best to help you.
Q: When is a FAQ not a FAQ?
As you may already know, an FAQ is a Frequently Asked Questions section of a document or website. Commonly, this is arranged as a list of single-sentence questions, with one pertinent answer.
Several people have pointed out to us that the FAQ section of the TOAST website is more of a letters page; while this is true from a style point of view, we felt that this format worked better for the purposes of demonstrating our one-to-one advice approach.
Although we receive plenty of calls and letters from people wanting help and advice with weight issues, we would never generalise by saying that we could dilute these queries down to a simple single-sentence problem. We recognise that we as individuals are all unique, and so too are our problems!
Therefore we are presenting a sample of questions, together with advice and actual commentary from various members of our Helpline staff, in a style more common to a problem page. What you will find in the following sections will give a general idea of the most commonly encountered questions.
Please pick from one of the following sections:
General
Health Issues
Children
All the information we provide is researched and evidence based and up to date at the time of print. TOAST does not accept liability for the interpretation of this information. If problems persist please see your GP or nurse.
At TOAST, we endeavour to do as much as we can to raise awareness of the issues surrounding obesity and overweight, and to promote change both on an individual level, as well as nationally.
In order to achieve our aims, we are reliant as a charity on donations, including contributions from the public. In return, we offer a membership service to contributors.
Being a member of TOAST means:
* You will be given access to an exclusive section of the TOAST website, offering more support, features and a NEW members forum area
* Subscription to a regular newsletter, TOASTbites, covering all of the latest developments and research, as well as fun sections such as reviews and contests
* Exclusive prize competitions, offered on a members-only basis
* You will be part of an organisation campaigning for a wider understanding of issues relating to obesity and overweight
* You will be helping us to combat the just-eat-less and exercise more message
* Campaigning for needs-led resources to be available for people within their local area
* Challenging discrimination, prejudice and stigma and campaigning for size discrimination laws and for size acceptance
* An accredited training centre, offering a range of training courses such as Obesity Awareness & Diversity and Train the Trainer courses, available at a significant discount to members
* An ongoing development of a network of support groups across the UK
Please choose from one of the categories below to then see a list of relevant links.
If you would like your organisation to be added to this section, please contact us!
Counselling and Therapy
Children
National Organisations
Commercial Organisations
Eating and Exercise Plans
TOAST Resources
Help and Information
Where to go for help - and how to help yourself
More…
The TOAST Helpline
If you have concerns about your own weight, or are worried about someone who has a weight issue, you can contact TOAST in confidence - we have advisors waiting to take your call (9-5pm, Monday - Friday).
This service is available to all, and your call will be charged at your local rate - simply call 0845 045 0225.
Please note that this service can be very busy, so please be patient if you cannot get through immediately!
(Note to TOAST Members - please get in touch with the office if you are having trouble getting through, and an avisor will call you back as soon as is available).
Alternatively, you can email an advisor at obesity.helpline@toast-uk.org.uk or send us a letter if you prefer - our address is given at the foot of this page.
Parliamentary Activity
All the latest from Parliament, what TOAST are doing, and how YOU can get involved!
More…
Conferences and Seminars
We will be continually updating this section of the site with news of events, conferences and seminars on the horizon.
If you know of any events you think we should be aware of, or if you are an event planner, please contact us if you wish to be included in this section.
More…
TOAST Training Courses
TOAST now hosts accredited training courses. For more information, please click the link below.
More…
Posters and Information Sheets
Here, you will find PDF versions of our most requested posters and information sheets. These are available for free download, for you to print out.
If you are an organisation and would like printed versions of these resources, please get in touch with us. Generally, the full colour posters are printed on satin poster paper and are primarily aimed for use on notice boards, etc.
Working off a Chocolate Bar - Adults
Working off a Chocolate Bar - Kids
Helpline Poster
Obesity - who does it affect?
Sorry - Print version now OUT OF STOCK
Obesity - how does it happen?
Sorry - Print version now OUT OF STOCK
Obesity - what can you do about it?
Sorry - Print version now OUT OF STOCK
Obesity - how does it affect you?
Sorry - Print version now OUT OF STOCK
TOAST Newsletter
Other Resources
This is where we store other information, downloads or links which may be of use or interest. We actively encourage you to make use of these resources!
Lobby your MP!
Click here to download a letter that you can personalise and send directly to your Member of Parliament (Don’t know your local MP? Don’t worry, use the handy link below…)
MP Locator
Click here to access a handy tool enabling you to find your MP, as well as access to other ministers.
Jobs at TOAST
We are always on the lookout for the right talent to join our team here at TOAST. If you would like to learn more about the opportunities currently available, click here.
TOAST was started as a non-profit making organisation in 1998 and received charitable status in 2001. The primary aim of the Charity has always been to ensure that people whose lives are affected by obesity have an impact on policies and treatment, and to this end the main work that we undertook initially was to raise the issues of obesity and overweight as a matter for policy makers to take seriously.
People told us that they were finding the key message of just eat less and exercise more messages unhelpful, and that they didn’t find that they were getting the support and information they needed. Twenty years ago, anorexia was treated as a matter of under-eating and the first line treatment was force-feeding; it is now recognised that this condition is a serious and complex illness requiring psychological as well as physiological input. Similarly, we recognise that obesity, rather than being just a matter of taking less food in, is a complex, multifaceted problem and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
It became apparent that not only was there a lack of understanding by politicians and doctors, but by society as a whole. We have been extremely successful in raising obesity in the political arena and TOAST together with other lobbyists played a major role in the initiation of the House of Commons Health Select Committee inquiry into Obesity. Whilst we recognize the importance of continued lobbying, we are also aware that many decisions are being made concerning the approaches to the treatment and prevention of obesity are based on the medical model of treatment; most strategies involve either diet-and-exercise advice or medication, and yet the wider picture is still being missed. Without effective solutions, the problem is getting worse and millions of people are at risk of either dying prematurely or having a lifetime of both physical and mental health illness.
What people have been telling us is that they would like to be able to get accurate, up-to-date information if they need it, to access support from people who are not going to dismiss them, and to be able to talk to others who understand where they are coming from. They would like to be treated with respect by doctors, nurses and other professionals, and in general they are fed up with the stigma they face on a daily basis. In response to this, we have developed the following services:
* A Help and information line that is accessible via the telephone and email
* An active website, with moderated chat rooms and forum facilities
* A range of accredited training programmes for professionals
* A range of packages for commerce, raising awareness of issues within the workplace and offering solutions
Being a member of TOAST means that you are part of an organisation that is:
* Campaigning for a wider understanding of issues relating to obesity and overweight
* Challanging the just eat less and exercise more message
* Campaigning for needs-led resources to be available to people within their local area
* Challanging discrimination, prejudice and stigma; campaigning for size discrimination laws and for size acceptance
* An accredited training centre offering a range of accredited training courses such as Obesity Awareness & Diversity and Train-the-Trainer courses to inform practice, available at a discount to members
* Deveoping a network of support groups across the UK
*
Developing a range of services for children, including a dedicated website
Click here to find out how to become a member!
Jobs: If you are interested in becoming part of the team here at TOAST, please click here.
Training: To find out more about our accredited training courses, please click here.