The Obesity Challenge Can Be Met, Says Slimming World, UK

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 18 Oct 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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The vast scale of the obesity epidemic facing the UK - on a par with the challenge of climate change - was brought into stark focus by a report by Foresight, a government thinktank.

Slimming World, the UK's leading slimming organisation, welcomes this recognition of the enormity of the challenge and says that, despite the scale of obesity, the challenge can be met.

"At last the government has acknowledged that this is an issue that needs to be tackled across the whole of society," says Caryl Richards, Slimming World's Managing Director. "Sir David King, the government's chief scientific adviser, has stated that the problem needs action 'across the board'. This admission that we must adopt a multi-layered approach is a huge step forward.

"What is needed is a whole society approach which encourages lifestyle changes for everyone, and support at every level from families and schools to health professionals and businesses.

"Slimming World is uniquely placed to provide weight loss and weight maintenance support at every level. We help hundreds of thousands of individuals to manage their weight, and influence whole families to live healthier lifestyles. We also help GPs and practice nurses wanting to refer overweight adults and adolescents through our pioneering Slimming World on Referral scheme, and businesses wanting to set up occupational health schemes."

Working in local settings, Consultants who lead Slimming World groups are very much part of their communities. Slimming World members attend weekly groups and learn how to change their behaviour and adapt their lifestyles to shop, cook and eat more healthily using basic everyday foods and to successfully build activity so that it becomes an intrinsic part of their daily routine.

Caryl Richards says, "We have been at the forefront of developing community-based models to tackle overweight and obesity for forty years. The report refers to modern society's 'highly complex obesogenic environment', and our 5,500 groups offer individuals the tools to navigate their way through that environment. At Slimming World we are extremely successful in empowering our members to make healthier lifestyle choices."

- Slimming World has published a report on the Influence of Slimming World's lifestyle programme on the diet, activity, behaviour and health of participants and their family. For copies of the report please contact Jenny Caven via email: jenny.caven@slimming-world.com

- The National Institute of Clinical Excellence published guidance for the treatment of obesity in December 2006. Slimming World meets each of the criteria.

- Slimming World has pioneered Slimming on Referral in the UK and actively supports the building of partnerships with the NHS to develop effective strategies to manage overweight and obesity in the community. To date there are more than 20 different Slimming on Referral schemes and more than 4,500 members have been referred by their health carer. Slimming World works with university researchers and specialists in an active research programme to further knowledge of the causes and treatment of obesity.

- Using advanced behavioural modification techniques in a friendly and supportive group environment (methods which are unique to Slimming World in the UK) Consultants ensure members have the motivation, confidence and psychological support to successfully make healthy lifestyle changes and maintain them long-term.

- Slimming World is the largest and most advanced slimming organisation in the UK. Margaret Miles-Bramwell founded the company in 1969 and there are now more than 5,500 groups held weekly nationwide via a network of 2,500 Slimming World trained Consultants.

- 250,000 members attend Slimming World every week and achieve outstanding success:

- Members lose 17,857 stones every week: 2,551 stones every day, over 106 stones every hour, that's 1 stone 10 lbs lost every minute of every day with Slimming World.

- Slimming World's healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, and the principles behind Slimming World's philosophy are based on a deep understanding of the challenges faced by overweight people. Slimming World integrates practical, up-to-date dietary advice with a highly developed support system.

- Slimming World Consultants receive specific training in dietary aspects and the role of physical activity in weight control. The highly developed training focuses on facilitating behaviour change in a group environment, acknowledged by experts as being the most effective way to support long-term weight management.

- In March 2004 and again in 2005, 2006 and 2007 Slimming World was named among the 'Top 100' Best Small Companies to Work for in the UK by The Sunday Times.

- The Family Affair scheme in 2006 invited adolescents aged 11 to 15 to attend groups while being exempt from joining fees and weekly fees at Slimming World if they are accompanied by a fee-paying parent or guardian, who is responsible for most of their meals. Where the parent does not wish to become a member in their own right, they pay a special reduced fee to receive the same help and support for their family.

http://www.slimmingworld.com

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