Eighty-three men from St Helens have collectively lost 104 stone in a football-based health initiative. The 2024 weight loss achievement was part of the FA-accredited “MAN v FAT” programme.
Among the participants is Paul McKenna, 35, who managed to lose almost six stone since January 2023. He had joined the programme after being diagnosed with high blood pressure and pre-diabetes. Mr. McKenna weighed 19.5 stone in January 2023 and has now shed 30 percent of his excess body weight.
He said: “MAN v FAT has helped change my life. As I started to lose weight, I began to set myself new challenges, including playing for the St Helens 11-a-side team.” He added: “I am no longer pre-diabetic and I have recently been taken off my blood pressure medication as it is at a healthy level.”
MAN v FAT is not just about losing weight; it aims to improve mental health and create new friendships among the participants. The programme includes weekly football sessions where players are weighed. The results from the matches, combined with individual weight loss, contribute to an overall league table.
Mr. McKenna believes that the support of his teammates played a significant role in his successful weight loss journey. He stated, “It’s brilliant how welcoming the lads are when you are new. I lacked confidence, I was severely overweight and unfit, but I had the immediate support of my new teammates and the wider club. We celebrate and push each other during the week when we achieve any personal milestones.”
In addition to the football matches, MAN v FAT offers off-the-pitch support, including healthy meal recipe ideas and general fitness tips. Players also have free access to a bespoke mental health platform through MAN v FAT partners, JAAQ.
Public Health England data from April 2023 suggests that around 71.3 percent of adults in St Helens are overweight or obese, significantly above the 64 percent average for England.
The MAN v FAT St Helens club meets every Monday evening at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School on Berrys Lane. More information about the club can be found online.
Source: St Helens Star
