Anyone over 55 issued ‘winter meal rule’ in January | Weather | News
As cold weather hits the UK, everyone over the age of 55 is being urged to follow the ‘winter food rule’ in January. Multiple yellow national severe weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office as Arctic weather brings prolonged periods of freezing weather to the country for the start of the new year.
Warnings will affect Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of central and southern England from Saturday 3 January to Tuesday 6 January, with temperatures forecast to be well below average. The national forecaster has warned households to be prepared for widespread frost and icing and the increased risk of snow showers, with conditions likely to make travel hazardous in the coming days.
The weather warnings overlap with yellow cold health warnings issued by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) for the whole of England until January 6.
At a time when the country is facing severe cold, people over the age of 55 are asked to take precautions against freezing conditions.
According to the Met Office, we lose around 1% of our muscle mass each year from around the age of 55, and while this may not seem like much, it means our bodies have to work a lot harder to stay warm.
This means that taking small steps to protect yourself from the winter cold is vital in combating common diseases such as cold, flu, cough and Covid, which are common at this time of year.
One important way to do this is to follow the ‘winter food rule’ when the weather gets colder. According to the Met Office, eating at least one hot meal a day and drinking hot drinks regularly will help your body stay warm in cold weather.
In his cold weather advice, the forecaster says: “As we get older, our bodies have to work harder to keep us warm. For those around age 55 and up, we lose about 1% of our muscle mass each year. It might not sound like much, but our muscles keep us warm.
“So it’s really important to dress warmly when you go out. Eating at least one hot meal every day at home and drinking hot drinks regularly, and getting up and moving occasionally also helps.”
It’s also recommended to keep moving throughout the day, even if you’re stuck inside, so you should try not to sit still for more than an hour and ensure it stays warm by heating your home to at least 18C.
The Met Office adds: “It’s important to keep warm both indoors and outdoors in winter. Keeping warm can help prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems. Eating regularly helps keep you warm, so try to eat at least one hot meal a day, as well as regular hot drinks.”
“Keep your home warm and your bedroom window closed, especially on cold winter nights, as breathing cold air can be bad for your health as it increases the risk of chest infections.
“With many of us having to spend more time at home, it can make it difficult to stay active. It’s important that you continue to do what you can to stay active, as this can help both your physical and mental health.
“Keep moving while you’re inside, try not to sit still for more than an hour. Break up your sedentary time by walking around your house or getting up from your chair while talking on the phone.”
