Many of today’s papers claim that the Australians are unexpectedly leading the way as the heavyweight champions of the world – with arguably a greater proportion of obese citizens than even the notoriously supersized Americans. A study released yesterday shows that Australia’s obesity epidemic has been considerably underestimated, with nine million adults – almost 60 per cent of the adult population – overweight.

And, although Slimming World groups haven’t made the journey to Oz yet, our international online membership – bodyOPTIMISE – has!  So if you have friends or family in Australia, or if you live in Australia and would love to eat big portions of delicious food, experience unique weekly slimming support and have unlimited online access to recipes, features and a huge array of motivational tools, join bodyOPTIMISE today and start your journey to weight loss success!

According to researchers in Venezuela a study of 100 obese women has shown that starting the day with a hearty breakfast helps to boost weight loss long-term.

The Daily Mail reported: At the end of the study researchers from the Hospital de Clinicas in Caracas found those eating big breakfasts had lost more than 21% of their body weight (compared with just 4.5% for the women eating a small breakfast) and reported feeling less hungry, especially before lunch, and having fewer cravings for carbohydrates.

And, if you fancy a big breakfast each morning, at Slimming World we say go for it!  Our generous healthy eating plan means that your breakfast can always be big!

Pile your plate with lean, grilled bacon, mountains of scrambled eggs, loads of grilled tomatoes, unlimited poached mushrooms and a couple of slices of wholemeal toast.  Add a squirt of tomato sauce on the side if you fancy, and finish off with a bowl of fresh fruit salad smothered in Müllerlight yogurt. 

Don’t believe you’ll lose weight eating all this?  Try our 7-day menu and see the results for yourself!

The British Dietetic Association today issued to the following press release:

A recent Foresight report predicted that without immediate action 25% of children will be clinically obese by 2050, but one successful project that has already helped more that 24,000 young people to lose and manage their weight will take centre stage at the British Dietetic Association’s Annual Conference today (17 June).

As the government calls for a whole society approach to tackling the obesity epidemic, Slimming World’s Family Affair programme, which launched in January 2006, is proving to be a hit with 11 to 15 year olds. It provides basic, everyday foods for the whole family and uniquely helps young people adopt healthier eating habits.

Young members wanting to lose weight can access free, non-judgemental or pressurised weekly groups meetings run by Slimming World as well as support from GPs or other health professionals. They work with members to establish appropriate weight management programmes based on making lifestyle changes to prevent weight gain rather than promote weight loss.

Amanda Avery, health partnerships co-ordinator and member of the British Dietetic Association, says: “The focus of our support for under-16s is on behaviour and lifestyle change rather than weight loss. Slimming World has created age-tailored ‘Free2Go’ literature that encourages small changes to eating and activity habits as well as successfully helping young people build self-esteem. Our guidance is specifically designed for health care professionals, our consultants and young members to monitor BMI, weight control targets and progress every three months.

Increasingly, Primary Care Trusts and GP surgeries are setting up Slimming World referral schemes and young people are attending them with their referred parent.

In two areas of the UK, Slimming World has set up specific referral schemes for young people. In collaboration with University Hospital, Walsgrave, a study is recording weight change outcomes of 50 young people referred into Slimming World groups over a 12 week period. In another scheme, set up with Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale PCT, 1500 adults and up to 200 young people are being referred to the Family Affair programme.

Amanda concludes: “Our research shows that the Free2Go lifestyle plan helps teenagers maintain the energy gap that will keep them on a path towards a healthy weight and away from adult obesity by growing into their weight rather than crash dieting or a diet based on calorie-counting.”

For more information about the British Dietetic Association’s Annual Conference click here to visit their website.  Or discover more about Slimming World's Family Affair programme for 11-15 year olds here.

Once a female-only market, slimming clubs have been steadily gate-crashed over the years by member’s husbands, boyfriends and sons, who have proven that they are indeed better slimmers.  Data from our Slimming World on Referral* scheme shows that men’s weight loss is on average 23% greater than women during the 12 week referral period!

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World Nutritionist said, “Men tend to have a more muscle mass than women do and, as muscle uses up energy, it means that men often lose weight a little faster than women. Men often see very good weight losses in the first few weeks, which motivates them to carry on and they often reach targets quicker than women.

“Men also tend to be focused when they start on a healthy eating plan especially when they joining a slimming club that’s full of women. And they tend to feel less social pressure than women feel and have fewer negative feelings about previous diets they may have tried.”

Success is made easy for male dieters at Slimming World.  We understand that curry, chips and beer are the things men hate giving up most – and the good news is that with Slimming World they don’t have to.

46 year old consultant Chris Nicholls, who runs a 44-strong male class in Mid-Glamorgan, believes some of his members could definitely give any female dieter a run for their money.

“Since I started running the class 21 months ago, the total weight loss of my members so far has been an amazing 334 stone. Our members range from 24 – 60 years of age, and are lorry drivers, office workers, builders or are retired. I lost 10 stone myself with Slimming World, before becoming a Consultant to help others.

“Life can get quite competitive with my members and their wives and girlfriends, some of whom also attend other Slimming World groups. Male slimmers have fantastic motivation, and are able to channel their energy to achieving their weight loss goal.

Slimming World’s successful Scottish Parliamentary Reception was reported in the Edinburgh Evening News and in The Scotsman this week: “Speaking at the event, which was held last week, Public Health Minister Shona Robison said obesity is an increasing problem that poses a huge threat to health. She promised that an obesity action plan will be published before the summer recess.”

They also quoted Caryl Richards, Slimming World’s MD, on the significance of the new cross-party group on obesity in Scotland: "The launch of the cross-party group marks a significant point in how Scotland is moving forwards to tackle the obesity challenge."

You can read the full story here.

Many people contact us to ask if Food Optimising will fit in with their diabetes – the answer is a resounding YES!  Not only will it fit around the condition – many members tell us that it has helped control it.

Many of our members with diabetes have found their blood glucose levels and general health have improved significantly since Food Optimising and a number also report that they require less medication now they have lost weight. 

“Fourteen months ago I was told by my doctor that I would soon be injecting insulin if I didn't change my eating and drinking habits. Thanks to Food Optimising I now take no medication at all!” From John Ritchie  

A national survey by Slimming World, with more than 5,000 responses from men and women, found that just one month of healthy eating and exercise can lead to dramatic improvements in symptoms and significantly reduce the need for medication.

• 67% of members with diabetes reported an improvement since joining Slimming World
• 4% have been able to stop medication for diabetes, controlling it with diet alone
• 9% have been Slimming World members for just one month. Of these 64% reported an improvement in diabetes. Average weight loss was 8lbs
• 42% have seen an improvement in other health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and mobility difficulties
• 70% are more active since joining Slimming World

www.slimmingworld.com/healthy_eating/motivation_diabetes_week.asp

As with all medical conditions, it is important to follow the medical and dietary advice given by your health care team.

On Wednesday 4th June, Slimming World was delighted to sponsor a reception in the Scottish Parliament to mark the formation of Scotland’s first Cross Party Group to tackle obesity.

The event was a resounding success: in fact, one of the best attended receptions ever held in the spectacular new parliament building, reflecting the fact that obesity is one of the hottest topics in Scotland right now.

Attendees included around 20 Scottish MPs and the Minister for Public Health Shona Robison (pictured above with Slimming World's MD, Caryl Richards), who said that the Scottish Government recognises that obesity is an increasing problem that poses a huge threat to health. An influential audience included some key figures from the NHS in Scotland, as well as employers, academics and journalists.

The speakers included former rugby international John Beattie, the minister Shona Robison, MSP Mary Scanlon, Dr Laura Stewart from the Children’s Weight Clinic and Caryl Richards, who talked about Slimming World’s unique approach to weight loss, the help that we give to slimmers every week around the UK, and the huge success of Slimming World on Referral in England, generating a lot of interest from the audience in getting the scheme up and running in Scotland too.

Successful slimmers, Consultants and managers from around Scotland came to the event too. Rita Gallogley, a Woman of the Year 2006 finalist who lost 11 stone attended with her son, 16 year old Sean, both members of Ray Mackle’s Chapelhall group, and they were a huge hit with the politicians and health professionals they met.

Scotland has one of the world’s worst obesity rates, second only to the USA. The reception was an important step in raising awareness of what Slimming World can do for slimmers in Scotland – at a time when government is looking for new ways to help the 1.5 million people in Scotland who are overweight or obese - and the first step will be the formation of a Slimming World group within the Scottish Parliament building itself, as a direct result of the reception.

Every year after Christmas, Slimming World members all over the UK take part in a 6-week Slimathon in aid of our charity SMILES (Slimmers Making It a Little Easier for Someone) which, this year, is supporting the NSPCC.  And we're delighted to announce that 2008's results have now been finalised and 2008's grand total is £42,000! An enormous thank you and congratulations to all 400 fabulous slimmers who took part and lost an incredible 232 stones between them for this incredibly worthwhile cause.

This year's shining Slimathon star is Jan from West Sussex.  Jan has lost an awesome 1st 4lbs, raising £1,000 in the process, and wins two tickets to the glittering Slimming World Awards ceremony in November.

For more information about SMILES, visit www.slimmingworld.com/smiles.asp.

A wet summer might be good for the garden – but not for your waistline! As climate experts predict above-average rainfall this summer (not again!), a new Slimming World survey reveals that almost 80% of slimmers dread a rainy holiday season more than a sunny one. That’s because staying indoors means there’s more temptation to eat and less chance to get active!  

Even with a bit of sunshine, slimmers still see summer as a high risk season:

• 52% say that going on holiday is the most challenging time
• 33% think eating outdoors at restaurants and cafés with tempting dishes is difficult
• 25% believe BBQs are the main culprit for weight gain

Come rain (boo!) or shine (hooray!), Slimming World groups are the sizzling place to be this summer, with plenty of practical, realistic, everyday solutions for the season – whatever the weather.  So whether your summer features theme parks, barbecues, weeks abroad, family days out (or in) or the occasional motorway service station stop, you’ll find ideas galore to make your summer slimmer!

Click here to find your nearest warm and friendly group today and fill your summer with sunshine and support: http://www.slimmingworld.com/join/join_a_group.asp

Here comes the sun – and here comes the July issue of Slimming World Magazine! Dive in and discover how you can shine with our special summer body confidence section – plus much more:

‘Making time for myself helps me look after everyone else’. And taking time out to read Sharron Millen’s story will help you journey towards your target, too. Plus how cover girl Paige Ataou lost 3st and found the way to achieve her dreams.

 

7-day ‘summer slimdown’ eating plan. One week’s menus for wonderful weight-loss results! Try our easy-to-follow and fabulously filling plan.

5 ways to inner body confidence. You don’t have to be at target to have true body confidence.  Try our simple strategies and see your self-esteem soar this summer!

 

Cooking with herbs. Seven fresh and fragrant recipes – high on flavour, low in Syns. Plus the secrets of a perfect Slimming World pizza, and easy-to-make meals for kids who love to help Mum in the kitchen.

 

A fitter, firmer you in 4 weeks. Our summer exercise plans have been put together by experts – but you don’t have to be an expert to do them! Choose your favourite Body Magic activity and see and feel the difference in a month.

 The new issue of Slimming World magazine is available in group and on a newsstand near you on the 29th May.  Don’t miss it!