Pills Not A Solution To Obesity Says Slimming World, England

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 22 Apr 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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Responding to news that the latest 'anti-obesity wonder drug' Alli is due to go on sale over the counter tomorrow, Slimming World Managing Director Caryl Richards says: "Doling out pills for weight loss is not a solution to obesity.

"Selling these pills over the counter takes no account of an overweight person's state of mind, their motivation, their self-esteem or their confidence to make changes - changes that could save their life and protect them for life.

"At Slimming World, with 40 years experience of working with overweight and obese people, we have learnt that the key to long-term weight management is a healthy, generous and realistic eating plan combined with real and effective support. It's well known that anyone taking weight loss pills still needs to follow a low fat diet and is encouraged to become more active. Members who follow and stick to Slimming World's eating plan are more successful over six months, losing an average of 21 lbs (10kg), double the average 10lbs weight loss offered by makers of Alli in the same period.

"There is no magic pill. The key to successful and long-term weight loss and maintenance is to make healthy habits a part of your everyday lifestyle. Research has also shown that the support that people receive at a Slimming World group plays a key role in boosting self-esteem and confidence to make the changes and keep weight off in the long term. It empowers people by putting them in charge of their own health. Plus Slimming World offers a more cost-effective solution at just £4.50 per week without any unpleasant side-effects."

THE PROS AND CONS OF SLIMMING WORLD v ALLI

Alli
Cost: £7/week
Side effects: Stomach upset including sudden diarrhoea, wind
Health benefits: Can interfere with absorption of vitamins
Effectiveness: 10lbs/4.5kg weight loss in 6 months
Sustainability: Not sustainable in the long term

Slimming World
Cost: £4.50/week
Side effects: NONE
Health benefits: Healthy eating plan encourages consumption of nutrients from all food groups including plenty of fruit and vegetables
Effectiveness: 21lbs/10kg weight loss in 6 months (when followed with regular group support)
Sustainability: Provides the skills for long term lifestyle change.

Notes

- Slimming World, the UK's leading weight loss organisation, supports 300,000 to lose weight through adopting a healthy lifestyle each week.

- Slimming World's research shows that people following the programme make important changes to the way they shop, cook, eat and exercise. What's more, three quarters of them are positively influencing family members to eat more healthily and to exercise more regularly. They buy more fresh fruit and vegetables, they eat less sugary and fatty foods, they buy less ready-made meals and they make more time to cook for the family using basic, nutritious ingredients. In this way we influence over 3 million people each year.

- Slimming World is already working with the NHS in the battle against obesity through the Slimming World on Referral scheme which it pioneered and which now operates across 45 Health Trusts. Patients who are referred to Slimming World by their GP attend a 12-week course.

Source
Slimming World