Support from family and friends 'crucial for weight loss'

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 10:44 AM

The best person to inspire your healthy eating plan is... you, your friends or your family! Politicians, celebrities and the media have little influence on people’s behaviour when it comes to weight loss or healthy eating, according to a new report.

The Healthy Influence List was compiled by Slimming World and YouGov. Their research revealed that when it comes to making healthy lifestyle changes, most people are far more likely to listen to people they see face-to-face, such as family, friends and health professionals, than they are to out-of-reach figures like celebrities.

The findings were revealed to coincide with the launch of Slimming World’s new Let’s Beat Obesity Together campaign.

“Our research clearly shows that people look for advice, support and solutions from those close to them,” said Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s head of nutrition and research.

“We’ve always believed that local groups based at the heart of communities offer the best solution to long term sustainable weight loss. And that’s why Slimming World’s annual Let’s Beat Obesity Together is so successful. Last year it helped people lose 270,000 stone over a 12-week period.”
 

You can eat cake and lose weight

Diet news: You can lose weight and eat carbs!

The majority of us think we need to stop eating carbohydrates such as biscuits, cakes and crisps when we go on a diet. A UK-wide survey found 63% think that successful weight loss requires cutting out certain types of foods.

 Weight-loss operations are more popular

Weight-loss operations 'up 12%'

Women are being admitted for three times as many weight-related hospital admissions as men, as Britain's obesity crisis spirals out of control. New figures also show that the number of weight loss operations increased by 12% in two years.
Slimming World recommends unlimited fruit

Slimming clubs 'provide effective, long-term weight loss results'

The camaraderie and clear advice of slimming groups is the best and cheapest way to lose weight, a study finds. Weight losses achieved through NHS referral to Slimming World, Weight Watchers and Rosemary Conley was assessed by research in BMJ.

 Chocolate can help boost the metabolism

Chocolate 'can help keep you slim'

Good news, ladies - chocolate can help keep you slim as part of a balanced diet. Far from piling on the pounds, a chocolate habit can help keep you slim, with regular consumption linked to a lower body mass index (BMI), a sign of a healthy weight.
Make fresh fruit cheaper, say slimmers

Slimming club members support junk food tax

A much-discussed junk food tax would have the backing of the country, it seems - or at least those of us who are trying to lose weight. A poll for Slimming World of around 1,000 members found that the majority would support a tax on unhealthy foods.

 Slimming clubs get real diet results

Commercial slimming clubs 'better than NHS diet approach'

Slimming clubs such as Weight Watchers should be utilised by the NHS to tackle obesity, a new report argues. Researchers at Birmingham University, studying 740 British dieters, discovered slimmers who attended Weight Watchers lost 4.4Kg on average
Teens encouraged to make healthy food choices

Slimming club success for overweight teens

Slimming clubs have once again been praised as a successful way to change lifestyle habits and reduce Body Mass Index (BMI) - particularly for overweight teens, according to research published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

 Many Brits 'refusing to tackle weight issue'

Obese Brits in denial about their weight and diet, says poll

Overweight people in the UK are refusing to acknowledge their weight issue and continuing to consume an unhealthy diet – despite health warnings about obesity, according to research commissioned by weight loss aid alli.

Smartphone addiction 'can make you stressed'

Turn off the work phone when you get home

Too much time spent working on smartphones and other mobile devices can cause a raft of health problems - people tend to maintain an awkward posture that might lead to pain in the back and neck, as well as stress-related illness.

The ultimate 15minute at-home workout

Follow these 7 steps and you'll have the perfect at-home workout. Image: Thinkstock

Burn calories and tone up fast with this intense 15 minute workout you can do in your sitting room!