Health Plus Magazine

Reviewed by Dietitian, Juliette Kellow BSc RD

Fact File - Health Plus

Issue reviewed:	June 2005
Pages:	124, 23% Advertising
Circulation:	No figures available
Cover Price:	£2.40

Content

Health Plus includes plenty of health features, real life, makeovers, beauty and celebrity interviews.

Overall view

The content is upbeat and informative, and is clearly aimed at women over the age of 40. The magazine starts with a round up of news and then heads straight into features, although these don’t seem to follow any particular structure and would benefit from being more clearly split up into sections such as health or beauty.

In Detail

As this is one of the few health magazines aimed specifically at women over the age of 40, there are plenty of original features. This issue includes features covering why more women over the age of 40 are having unplanned pregnancies, a great guide to covering grey hair, how to boost spiritual, emotional, physical and mental energy, how to talk to your partner about the menopause and using fragrances to feel good.

Having said this, several other features have been done many times before – for example, how health problems could be to blame for making you fat, ways to beat cellulite, toning exercises targeted at problem areas and laser eye surgery. But on balance, the original ideas win through.

Better still, the models used in features are clearly older than teenagers and the celebrities featured are all well into their forties (such as Andie McDowell, Denise Welch and Arabella Weir). Sadly, the picture on the cover of Denise Welch is far from flattering and does little to inspire you to pick it up.

Meanwhile, thanks to a panel of experts promoted on the first page and constant expert advice throughout, this magazine really does feel as though it’s the authority on health issues for women over the age of 40.

Who it will suit

A great read if you’re in your 40s or 50s and want good, solid health and beauty advice on issues that are specific to your age.

Juliette's Verdict

A good magazine if you’re over 40 and want solid health information without any gimmicks. 6/10