Lucy Elkins writes in today’s Daily Mail: “Avoid oily fish, cut out all dairy foods, use more supplements”: it's the kind of advice that flies in the face of conventional thinking on healthy eating. Yet, amazingly, this is what I was told to do to improve my health by so-called 'dietary experts' on the internet. 

Having typed 'dietary advice' into a popular search engine, Lucy received over 100,000 listings and writes about the concern she has – and we share – about the unqualified advice (what she describes as ‘often wrong and sometimes dangerous’) that is given on many nutrition websites.

The Daily Telegraph are today reporting that an ‘Obesity gene’ boosts appetite (see pg8).  It reports that scientists have discovered a gene linked to obesity works by increasing the appetite. A study of more than 3,000 children, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism shows that those who had the gene – called FTO – were less likely to feel ‘full’ after eating than their classmates. People with two copies of the gene are on average 7lb heavier, and those with one gene are 3lb heavier than those without the gene.

Our research specialist, Dr James Stubbs, comments: “While your genes determine your biological makeup, it’s the environment that you live in and your lifestyle habits which determine the weight you gain. Only in a very minute number of cases can a genetic reason be found as the cause for weight gain. If you were found to have the gene variation, the advice would be to change your behaviour by eating healthily and doing regular exercise.

“As always Slimming World’s message is that 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 you receive at a Slimming World group plays a key role in boosting your confidence to make the changes”.

Shared eating and lifestyle habits which are passed down from parents to children have a much bigger effect on weight gain than biological make-up. There are the lucky few who don’t gain weight as easily, but the good news for those of us who do gain weight is that through Food Optimising, Image Therapy and Body Magic Slimming World offers all the support and techniques we need to help us to change our behaviour and lead a healthier lifestyle – whatever our genetic makeup!  And, of course, with Free Food - healthy, filling everyday foods - even the largest appetites can be satisfied without the worry of weight gain.

James joined Slimming World after 13 years at the Rowett Research Institute where he was Principle Scientific Officer. While there he conducted large-scale human trials into weight control and obesity.  Read James’ biography here.

Sunday 13th July saw our biggest ever Man of the Year semi-finals! 86 amazing men, representing our 5,500 groups and 300,000 members, joined together in a massive celebration of their success.

On top of their fabulous weight losses, our 86 men have added years to their lives, some have probably saved their lives, and all of them are looking forward to a healthier, more active future with their friends and families.

You may have already seen our fabulous winner on yesterday’s Channel 5 news and in today’s Daily Star and Daily Mail.  He’s lost a sensational 15st 2lbs in two and a half years and reduced his 60” waist to a trim 34”!  Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2008 is Brian Semple who attended Linda Booker's group in Rochester, Kent!

Brian described his journey as ‘a 15st success story that saved my life’. He explained: ‘My weight loss has been down to the food that I eat and the people I’ve met. My GP thinks I’m a new man. In fact every aspect of my life has improved. I even enjoy the Can-Can – I can enjoy food, I can exercise every day, I can live life to the full. I can do anything!’

You’ll be able to find out just how Brian did it from Monday in our Real Success section

On last night’s F Word, Janet Street-Porter was on a mission – to turn the British public from a nation of smoothie-slurpers to fresh-fruit munchers! As Janet pointed out, we drink literally tons of the stuff in the belief that we’re being ‘healthy’, whereas in fact, these tempting little drinks can add a lot of extra calories - and sugar - to your diet (more than a can of fizzy pop in many cases!) without filling you up.

It’s something Slimming World members have known for years. With Food Optimising, Slimming World's healthy eating plan, whole fruit (including bananas, oranges and grapes) can be eaten in unlimited quantities, while juiced, cooked, pureed/mashed, stewed or blended fruit can be eaten in measured amounts as Syns. That’s because we know that altering the composition of fruit makes it very easy to over-consume in a short space of time.  It’s an all too easy way of adding a lot of extra energy, without adding the filling, bulky fibre needed to fill your stomach and satisfy your appetite. 

Think about the time it takes to eat an apple and compare it to the time it takes to drink an apple-worth of juice.  That’s why Food Optimisers reach for the fruit bowl first!

For more information about the fabulous freedom of Food Optimising visit our healthy eating section.

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.