UCC staff shed excess flab

Dozens of staff and students at University College Cork have each shed an average 1.5kg in weight as part of a campus-wide health drive.

The Operation Transformation programme is one of several initiatives that has earned UCC the first flag awarded by the HSE South for meeting the standards to be declared a health-promoting university.

The weight-loss programme has been led by nine leaders, five students and four staff, who have so far lost 41kg of the 62kg set as a target — an average 4.5kg each.

However, nine groups with more than 100 staff and students have been following suit for the seven-week project running in parallel with the RTÉ programme. Of 71 who attended at least two weigh-ins over the past five weeks, 58 have lost an average of 1.5kg each.

The progress of leaders and groups is being updated regularly on the UCC Health Matters Facebook page, with hopes of matching the one third of a tonne lost as part of a similar drive last year.

In the meantime, a flag for making the campus a healthier place will be presented by HSE officials to UCC tomorrow.

The Health Matters initiative started in 2010, and a key focus has been to tackle alcohol and drug misuse by students. The numbers opting for the choice of alcohol-free campus accommodation are up from six to 24 in just its second year.

Other initiatives recognised by the HSE have highlighted mental health, sexual health, physical activity, food and nutrition, sustainable development, along with the built environment and safety.