The EFL Trust’s FIT FANS programme, which has helped over 1,000 fans to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, is said to have played a part in helping to tackle the national obesity crisis. FIT FANS is a lifestyle behaviour change programme for overweight and obese football supporters which is tackling the growing national issue of obesity. The 12-week healthy lifestyle programme, which is run by over 30 EFL clubs, won the Leaders in Sports Community Award for the impact made in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic limited external movement.

Louise Williams, National Development Manager - Health and Wellbeing at the EFL Trust, has written a blog on the initiative. She spoke of the pride of all at the EFL Trust that FIT FANS is playing a part of tackling the nation’s obesity crisis. By 2022 it estimated that 40 per cent of British people will be overweight or obese. The programme uses the unique pull of football clubs to reach fans, to bring people together to improve lifestyle behaviours and reduce weight, waistline and blood pressure.

In the blog, Louise writes: "Despite the disruption of the past 12 months, we have seen some staggering outcomes in terms of improvements in weight loss, physical activity, diet and psychological wellbeing.

It is an aspiration of the EFL Trust to see this programme delivered across the whole of our network, which will enable us to reach millions of people who would benefit from making a positive change towards a healthier lifestyle and decreasing their risk of poor health and in turn reducing the burden on our NHS and health services."

See the full blog here.