Current statistics around obesity, diabetes, inactivity and poor dietary intakes are alarming, showing 29% of UK adults classified as obese and 20% and 14% of year 6 primary school children classified as obese and overweight respectively.  In addition, 4.8 million adults in the UK are living with diabetes which emphasises the opportunity and demand for lifestyle-based interventions to facilitate change in morbidity and premature mortality rates.

Those who are active and eat well have a decreased chance of developing lifestyle disorders and enjoy an enhanced physical, social and mental health status. Moreover, those who are suffering with disease, disorders, physical restrictions or impairments can benefit greatly from a change in behaviour, which sees them incorporating new approaches within their lifestyle.  However, being able to recognise the importance of a healthy lifestyle right through to making positive and consistent behaviour change, requires specialised knowledge and skills.

To ensure success, the practitioner must have an in-depth understanding of underpinning scientific principles yet also be skilled in advocating and incorporating change into a person’s daily schedule. For this reason, the art and science of exercise prescription and dietary intervention is tremendously complex and takes years to learn and hone.  You will learn the skills and competencies associated with all aspects of exercise prescription and dietary intervention through a combination of theoretical and practical applications.

Recent graduates from this course have gone on to work for Salford Community Leisure, Manchester Primary Care Trust, Fitness First and BUPA Wellness. Following graduation, some students choose to undertake a postgraduate teaching qualification.

There are career opportunities in a wide variety of areas including exercise referral, community food work, health and exercise promotion, workplace health, cardiovascular rehabilitation, personal training, health-based intervention design and delivery, postgraduate research and teaching.