The principle of a neighbourhood health service is particularly promising. It reflects the way we’ve been successfully delivering weight management support, with groups at the heart of communities, since 1969. With 13,000 groups in neighbourhoods across the UK, which are accessed by people from all walks of life, we’re already helping around 700,000 every week to lose weight and create healthy, lasting habits around food, activity and mindset. We’re well placed to support the Government with their ambitions to take obesity services closer to home.

We’ve been proud to partner with Government and the NHS since we pioneered weight management referral schemes (which allow health professionals to prescribe their patients with 12 weeks of Slimming World group support) 25 years ago. We’re also long-standing providers of the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme and delighted to have seen so many NHS patients successfully lose weight through the programme and make healthy habits that will last them a lifetime. We hope to be able to change more lives as this programme is expanded.

As anticipated, weight loss injections are an important part of the Government’s plans to ‘launch a moonshot to end the obesity epidemic’. There is no denying that these drugs are a huge breakthrough in the treatment of obesity, and an expansion to the access of these drugs has the potential to help many people. However, we want to remind the Government that they are not a silver bullet. They don’t work for everyone, they come with unpleasant side-effects and without adequate wraparound support people taking the drugs will regain the weight they’ve lost once they stop taking them.

While we know that a healthy weight can be achieved, and maintained for life, without taking any medication, our wraparound support – available in communities and via our digital service – based around healthy lifestyle changes to food, drink and physical activity, is open to all adults, including those who have chosen to take weight loss drugs. We have a growing number of people online and in our groups who’ve come to us after starting to use the drugs as they understand the importance of making healthy changes alongside them and appreciate our experience and expertise in this area.

We would urge the Government to recognise, in the detail of the rollout of its Plan, that weight loss drugs, alongside digital treatment and support, cannot be the only option. We know that when they’re losing weight, people want and benefit from in-person peer support delivered in their neighbourhoods. With more than 55 years’ experience of community-based weight management through behaviour change, Slimming World has a clear role to play in working alongside the Government and the NHS to develop weight-loss solutions for the future health of the nation – and we’re ready to do just that.

Carolyn Pallister, Registered Dietitian and Head of Nutrition, Research & Health at Slimming World, says: “We have long been calling on the Government to commit to legislation to support supermarkets in promoting healthier choices to customers. In 2019, we published research highlighting how supermarket layout, pricing strategies and the shopping environment contribute to the UK's rising obesity levels."

The Health on the Shelf report published in 2019 by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and Slimming World, exposed marketing tactics used to drive sales of unhealthy products. It also revealed that over one third (36%) of shoppers reported that they impulse purchased unhealthy products because they are on special offer, and one in five said supermarkets cause them to go off track when attempting to lose weight. 

A survey of over 2,000 slimmers following Slimming World’s eating plan online or attending a local weekly group undertaken at the time of the report, found that since becoming a Slimming World member, 86% had changed the way they shop. 

The report recommended the Government adopted a set of key principles to apply to all major supermarket retailers, and we’re pleased to see similar suggestions being made in this week’s announcement, including: 

• Greater allocation of shelf space to healthier products, based on the Government’s EatWell Guide; 
• Explore the introduction of a healthy rating scheme, similar to the FSA’s Food Hygiene Rating Scheme ‘scores on the doors’, based on the proportion of healthy and unhealthy products stocked. 

Carolyn continues: “For the last two years, obesity strategy has focused almost entirely on weight loss drugs with little acknowledgement of other treatment options or major contributors towards obesity, such as the environment in which we live.  

“Weight loss drugs are undoubtedly changing the obesity landscape, but without support to make lasting changes, people taking the drugs will inevitably regain the weight they’ve lost once they stop. People need support to make life-long healthy habits around food and drink  – including their shopping habits – and their activity. There needs to be adequate, evidence-based support for people who don’t want to, or can’t, take the drugs. 

"We are calling on the Government to go further and not only tackle environmental factors but commit to a range of treatment options available to healthcare professionals for their patients, not just drugs, to support people to lose weight and help to alleviate pressures on the NHS caused by obesity-related health conditions.  

“We would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Department of Health and Social Care to talk about our commitment to support the Government in helping people whose lives are adversely impacted by obesity.” 

"It should not come as a surprise that people put weight back on once they stop taking the drugs. With all weight loss methods, if you go back to what you were consuming before, you will regain the weight you’ve lost, and in some cases, sadly more.

"At Slimming World, we strongly believe it's vitally important that wraparound care for any weight loss drugs both supports healthy lifestyle changes around food, drink and physical activity in the moment, and helps people create long-lasting habits that they can maintain well after they stop taking medication.

"While we know that a healthy weight can be achieved, and maintained for life, without taking any medication, our wraparound support is open to all adults, including those who have chosen to take weight loss drugs. We have a growing number of people online and in our groups, who’ve come to us after starting to use the drugs as they understand the importance of making healthy changes alongside them. 

"We differ from weight loss drugs and other weight loss methods in many ways. Our philosophy is based on a deep understanding of how people with a weight problem feel. We believe in the importance of a multi-component approach to weight loss, which is why we offer our members a healthy eating plan, an active lifestyle programme and behaviour change support. We support our members, both in our groups and via our online service, with sophisticated techniques rooted in psychology to help them understand themselves, their triggers and their own personal barriers, and we equip them with tools and strategies to develop lasting, self-determined healthy habits, achieve their weight loss goals and maintain them.

"Slimming World has been a long-time provider to the NHS, through its referral programme which provides people living with overweight or obesity with access to a 12-week weight loss plan via Slimming World, and the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. An independent economic evaluation by the University of Leeds also found that, Slimming World on Referral, is cost-effective against the standards set by NICE at 12 months and over a lifetime.

"Weight loss drugs have, of course, changed the weight management landscape, but they are a costly method of postponing an ongoing issue, with the knowledge that, without the right support for lasting change, they’re only a temporary solution and not the silver bullet many people have viewed them as.

“If the Government continues to invest huge sums of money into weight loss drugs, they need to ensure they go hand-in-hand with effective wraparound care which supports people to change both their habits around diet and activity, and their mindset so they can be confident they’re spending taxpayers’ money in a way that will provide a return on investment.”

The news that they’re preparing to file for bankruptcy in the coming months means that another lifestyle-based weight loss programme could be removed from the range of options for people wanting to lose weight in this country – and health professionals wanting to support that.

Weight loss drugs are not the silver bullet for obesity. A poll of 2,000 UK adults, conducted for us by Censuswide late last year, found that 70% weren’t interested in or said they weren’t sure if they’d use weight loss injections. Healthcare professionals need a full range of treatment choices for people without medicalising obesity as the first and only (and costly) option.

Furthermore, everyone losing weight – with or without weight loss drugs – needs support to make changes to their diet, activity and mindset. And despite living in an increasingly digital age, people enjoy and benefit from the sense of community that comes with being part of an in-person group to receive that support.

We at Slimming World have stood firm in our tried, tested and trusted approach based around this and want to reassure anyone feeling upset and uncertain at the potential end of a long-standing weight loss organisation, that we’re not going anywhere."

“People want to lose weight without hunger – of course, they do. And surely without risk to their health? And there is a real and effective alternative. It is possible to lose weight without hunger, without harming anyone’s health, without drugs and without their unpleasant side effects. In fact, there is no one simple medical solution to the complex problems of obesity. But there are healthy, nutritional solutions that work and that last for life. Weight loss without hunger is not just a dream – it is a health-giving reality that will not condemn the next generation to a life damaged by unhealthy eating."

"We’ve long known weight loss medication isn’t for everyone. And if it’s true these drugs won’t even be available for years, then it’s a blessing in disguise. One in four people in the UK is struggling with obesity and having the fight of their life right now. They need healthy help and support right NOW,” says Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, founder and chair of Slimming World.

Slimming World is the UK and Ireland’s largest weight management organisation, with 13,000 weekly community groups offering a money back guarantee.  

Margaret’s comments come following news that the NHS only have the capacity to give 220,000 patients living with obesity the weight loss medication Mounjaro, despite NICE guidance ruling that 3.4 million adults would be eligible and 35 million people in the UK are living with overweight and obesity.  

For more information on Slimming World click here and to read Slimming World’s manifesto click here.  

We were extremely pleased to see the report recommending the development of an ambitious strategy for maternal nutrition. Slimming World is the only weight-management organisation that works with the Royal College of Midwives to support pregnant or breastfeeding women, with the backing and ongoing recommendation of their midwife or GP, to make healthy changes to their diet and activity and to manage their weight healthily during this time. Our research with midwives found though that only 51% feel confident advising women on weight management during pregnancy. Alongside maternal nutrition, we believe the Government should introduce training for all healthcare professionals who interact with patients needing support to manage their weight, providing them with the skills to raise the issue of obesity and weight management sensitively and effectively. 

We also feel clear guidance on the difference between what constitutes a UPF and what is a processed food but can be consumed as part of a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet is essential, to avoid misinterpretation and confusion. With 55 years of experience in helping people to lose and maintain a healthy weight, at Slimming World, we’ve always encouraged our members to eat more fresh, whole foods, and cook from scratch, where possible. In fact, research into members eating habits confirms this - the British Nutrition Foundation found that the average Slimming World member eats more portions of fruit and veg a day than the general public. Food Optimising, Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, also encourages members to cut down on foods that are high in sugar and saturated fat, like chocolate and biscuits, which are predominantly categorised as UPFs.  

The committee and subsequent report explore the links between UPFs with rising obesity rates and diet-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The recommendations to the Government include: 

• a salt and sugar reformulation tax on food manufacturers, using the revenue raised to support lowering the cost of healthier foods,  
• a complete ban on the advertising of less healthy food, 
• reviewing and increasing the eligibility for the Healthy Start and free school meals schemes, 
• and requiring food manufacturers to report on the healthiness of their sales. 

The report also concluded that more investment is needed to research the links between UPFs and health conditions, reviewing healthy eating guidance based on any findings. We will continue to monitor the growing interest and research in this area and should there be any changes to government or UK and European health bodies’ guidance on the consumption of UPFs, we will advise our members and adapt our resources accordingly.     

“Research has shown that the GLP-1 medications do aid weight loss, but they’re not a magic bullet and they certainly aren’t for everyone. Some people won’t be medically eligible to take them, and there are many who won’t want to use a weight-loss medication.  

“There’s also growing acknowledgement that to support weight maintenance, lasting changes around food, drink and activity are needed alongside weight-loss medication. As the UK’s leading weight management organisation, specialising in behaviour change support, we’re in a unique position to offer this support to people taking these medications. 

“Deciding to lose weight – whether that’s with medication, surgery, with a slimming club or any other method – takes courage, determination and commitment, and we welcome anyone who’s struggling with their weight and needs the help, expertise and motivation to make lasting changes to their lifestyle.  

“We encourage members who are taking weight loss medications to share that information with their fellow members and the Consultant who runs their group, so they can help them follow some additional guidelines to ensure a healthy balanced diet, and that they’re preserving their lean muscle – a risk with rapid weight loss through taking GLP-1 drugs.

“It is very easy to believe that this new generation of drugs are the holy grail and that they’ll see rates of obesity reducing. However, it’s important to remember that they’re a short-term medical intervention with many unpleasant potential side-effects. To help people who are taking medication to maintain their weight loss long term, the support to make sustainable healthy changes to what they eat and drink and to become more active is essential. That’s something we’ve been doing for 55 years and will continue to do.”  

By 2050, it is predicted that the number of adults in the UK who are living with obesity will rise by 73% to 26 million people. Even with rising costs to the NHS and the UK economy – those living with obesity are more likely to be absent at work – the incumbent Government’s obesity strategy was subject to downgrading and U-turns. In 2023 it was effectively replaced with the announcement of a £40 million pilot to roll out GLP-1 weight-loss medication to a wider population.

Elise Wells, Slimming World Director, says: “It is easy to believe that the new generation of GLP-1 weight loss medications are the holy grail, but there are still issues with supply and they won’t be suitable for everyone. If, in future, they become the only treatment option available to help patients, it leaves those that for whatever reason can’t have them or don’t want them, with no support.”

Slimming World’s five calls to government are:

Call 1:  To actively support the option of evidence-based and effective lifestyle-based weight loss programmes so that healthcare professionals have a full range of treatment choices for people without medicalising obesity as the first and only option.

Call 2: To ensure effective and evidence-based wraparound support – comprising diet, physical activity, and behaviour change strategies – for people using weight-loss drugs, with a robust monitoring and evaluation strategy to ensure prescribers are compliant with these guiding principles of effective weight loss.

Call 3: Publish clear guidance on healthy weight management in pregnancy with the introduction of clear guidelines on safe and healthy weight gain for all pregnant women, regardless of their starting BMI. 

Call 4: Establish a coherent strategy, long-term to recognise the link between overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes and commit to removing the societal stigma, challenges and misconceptions that prevent people accessing diagnosis, treatment and support.

Call 5: Introduce training for healthcare professionals to enable sensitive and skilled conversations about weight. Mandatory training should be introduced for all healthcare professionals who interact with patients living with overweight and obesity to equip them with the skills to raise the issue of obesity and weight management sensitively and effectively.

Elise continues: “Slimming World believes that by adopting these five calls, a new government will be able to make a very real impact on the lives and health of people living with obesity.

“We understand the complexities of living with obesity, and the challenge of losing weight and maintaining that weight loss. People living with obesity need compassion, support and the tools to make behaviour changes and create healthy habits for life. We will welcome anyone who is struggling with their weight, including those prescribed weight loss medication, as we truly believe with Slimming World, they’ll discover how to make healthy lifestyle changes that will stay with them long after they stop having the injections.”

Download the full manifesto below.

 “While trials show that semaglutide is a significant development in the medical treatment of obesity, it isn't a ‘silver bullet’ for weight loss and it isn’t for everyone. It’s a short-term intervention for medically eligible people, with potential side-effects. Those who are prescribed the drug will be advised to follow a calorie-reduced diet and to increase their activity levels and it’s important to note that these combined changes will bring about both weight loss and successful weight maintenance without the use of medication. Use of semaglutide is limited to two years, and trials have shown that once they stop taking the drug, users regain most of the weight they’ve lost.

“The truth is that the only way to lose weight and keep it off in the long term is by making sustainable healthy changes to what we eat and drink, and by becoming more active. Lifestyle changes need to sit alongside, and exist well beyond, any medical intervention someone chooses, such as surgery or drugs. Slimming World supports members to adopt exactly these new healthier habits and to feel in control of their food and activity choices without having to inject themselves. Crucially, our approach includes behaviour change support to help members change their mindset around their weight and their eating and activity levels, as well as powerfully motivating peer support from other slimmers. All of this is vital to sustaining any lifestyle changes in the long-term and neither of these support systems are achieved using semaglutide on its own.

“We welcome with open arms anyone who’s struggling with their weight, so if any of our members are prescribed semaglutide or decide to buy it, or if anyone taking the drug needs additional help to eat more healthily, we’ll be there to support them. With Slimming World they’ll discover how to make healthy lifestyle changes that will stay with them long after they stop having the injections. So we’re confident that weight loss groups will continue to have a vital part to play, and Slimming World’s essential role in supporting people to reach and maintain a healthy weight won’t change.”

If you'd like to find out more about how to join Slimming World, you can do so here. 

As part of delivering the commitments set out in Tackling obesity: empowering adults and children to live healthier lives, the Government announced £100 million extra funding for healthy weight programmes; of which £35 million will be allocated to councils, and £35 million will go to the NHS to be invested into weight-management services.

Paul Sharpe, Head of Partnerships for Slimming World, said: “The government have announced that £70 million is to be invested into weight-management services – made available through the NHS and Local Authorities – enabling up to 700,000 adults to access support, including digital apps, weight-management groups and clinical support, helping them to lose weight.

“We are working closely with the government, through Public Health England (PHE) and the Department of Health and Social Care, to fully understand how Local Authorities can access the fund, and how we can fully support them in maximising its impact.”

Paul explained that Slimming World works with the NHS via its referral service and with the government through PHE: “In July 2020, Slimming World was invited to partner Public Health England’s Better Health campaign – the government’s response to Covid and obesity – and has supported over 40,000 people to lose weight since the campaign began."

Slimming World has long called for greater support for weight management – including a national voice for obesity, training for health professionals to enable them to talk to their patients about weight in a sensitive and skilled way, and more protection for young people and families to maintain a healthy weight.

Paul added: “We are delighted that the government has recognised the essential role that behavioural change weight-management services play in the health of the nation, and we look forward to working with even more Local Authority and NHS partners over the coming months.”

“Equally, it is a misconception that exercise alone will solve obesity. Research shows that it is much easier to lose weight through changing what you eat than through increasing activity. And there can be many barriers, both physical and mental, which make it hard to be active enough to achieve weight loss, particularly for those carrying a lot of excess weight. Successful weight-loss campaigns require support for people to make deep-rooted changes and address eating and drinking habits. As the Prime Minister has today acknowledged, losing weight can be hard and changing the habits of a lifetime takes real and sustained effort. In order to achieve their goal of helping people to urgently make changes to their whole lifestyles, any solution must consider and address the psychological as well as physiological impact of weight on health. Providing people with effective, empathetic support – as we’ve been doing at Slimming World for more than 50 years – to eat more healthily and become more active, and to do both in ways they can sustain for the long term, is the only way to create lasting change.

“Slimming World already works with the Government via Public Health England – we are delighted to be partners in the new Better Health campaign – and with the NHS throughout our ‘slimming on referral’ service. Our research of 1.1m members shows that on average Slimming World members lose a clinically significant 5% of their body weight (9.9lbs) within three months. People need to urgently make changes to their whole lifestyles and Slimming World is ready and able to help even more people to do that.

“Asking GPs to support patients to lose weight can only succeed when they have access to effective, evidence-based solutions nationwide and the understanding that those who struggle with their weight should be treated with compassion and care. Nearly 20 years ago Slimming World pioneered referral and partnership with the health service, and independent research shows it is a cost-effective and successful system – with Slimming World leading to greater weight loss in 12 months than any other weight-loss organisation. We have long campaigned for training for health professionals around weight too, and would like to see the introduction of a training module applicable to all undergraduate and professional studies that addresses ‘raising the issue’ of weight sensitively, without judgement, criticism or humiliation.

“We also support any measures aimed at making it easier for people to make healthy choices in their day-to-day life. Last year our Health on the Shelf campaign, in partnership with the Royal Society for Public Health, called on the Government to commit to legislation to support supermarkets in promoting healthier choices, we have campaigned for calorie labels to be included on alcoholic drinks to help people make informed choices, and we have worked to raise awareness of the impact of upselling on obesity levels. However, while changes like this are a step forward, they don’t address our complex relationship with food or the psychological barriers to weight loss.

“The measures outlined today will take time to put into action and – thanks to the way we’ve innovated to enable us to continue to provide life-changing weight-loss support to our members via an emergency virtual service over the past four months – we’re already helping people across the UK and Ireland to lose weight and transform their health and we’re poised to make a difference to the lives of even more Slimming World members and their families at this crucial time.”

Kal Flynn, 50, from Luton, lost more than 5st after being referred to her local Slimming World group by her GP.

She says: “My GP listened as I told him how worried I was about my weight, and how it might affect my future health as my mum had suffered a stroke just 15 months before. I wanted to be there for my mum and my two children. He nodded and said ‘I can offer you 12 weeks’ free membership of a Slimming World group. I decided I had nothing to lose. With the support of my Slimming World Consultant Gary and the rest of the group, my faith in my ability to lose weight felt stronger than ever.”

However, Jodie Rigby-Mee, who joined Slimming World in 2002 and dropped from a size 20 to a 10, says these measures alone aren't enough. 

Jodie, from Leamington Spa, was speaking on ITV News following reports that the Government is planning to ban junk food advertising before 9pm as part of new measures to tackle obesity, due to be announced next week. 

She said: "I think it's a step in the right direction, but I think it's not just the adverts; it's teaching people how to eat better long-term. One of the things I've learned is that diets don't work, Slimming World is long term, so it's just being a bit more empowered and having the knowledge. So I think it's a step in the right direction, but it's making sure we look at all of the things long-term to help people lose weight."

Slimming World's Head of External Affairs Jenny Caven agrees: "Slimming World supports any measures that are going to make it easier for people to make healthy choices in their day-to-day life. Indeed, this is an area in which we have campaigned for many years - our Size Matters campaign highlighted how the impact of ‘upselling’ was fuelling the obesity crisis, our Health on the Shelf campaign called for supermarkets to do more to help their shoppers make healthy choices, and our Tipping Point campaign called for calorie labels on alcohol. However, while changes like this are a big step forward, as Jodie says, they don’t address our complex relationship with food or the psychological barriers to weight loss, which is what’s needed to help people lose weight sustainably in the weeks and months ahead.

"In order to lose weight successfully – something that, as the Government has recognised, is more important than ever given the links between obesity and COVID-19 – people urgently need to make changes to their whole lifestyles – to eat more healthily and become more active, and to do both in ways they can sustain for the long term, so the new healthy behaviours become lasting habits and routines and people have all the tools they need to remain slim for life. And providing people with compassionate, understanding support – so they don’t feel alone – to make these changes is essential to any campaign to tackle obesity."

To watch the interview, see link to right or click here. 

“While we know that members and Consultants will be hugely disappointed by this and miss the sense of community and powerful Slimming World group spirit, protecting members will always be our priority. We’re putting plans in place to support our Consultants in this unprecedented situation, so that they can continue to support members to protect the weight losses that they have already achieved, continue in their weight loss journeys and stay as healthy as possible throughout this difficult time.”

For media enquiries please contact public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk

Slimming World, the largest group-based commercial weight loss organisation in the UK and Ireland, with around one million members, today published its manifesto which calls on the new Government to take action to reduce obesity which is predicted to rise by 73% to 26 million people by 2050.

Over the past four years, successive prime ministers have had differing approaches towards how to tackle obesity, for instance on the effectiveness of a ‘sugar tax’, and a lack of clear policy or prioritisation on how best to reduce the impact of obesity on the nation’s health. Slimming World believes that this lack of consistency has led to confusion among the public and health professionals.

Slimming World’s five manifesto calls are:

          1. A national voice for obesity

The NHS’s weight management programmes and assessed referrals systems are not working effectively. Slimming World is calling on the Government to take responsibility for commissioning local, effective weight management programmes that deliver a low-cost intervention on a national scale.

          2. Training for health professionals to enable sensitive and skilled conversations about weight

Slimming World is calling on the Government to develop and implement mandatory national training for all professionals who interact with people who are overweight and obese, which must be underpinned by the understanding that anyone who struggles with their weight should be treated with kindness, care and compassion.

           3. Clear guidance on healthy weight management in pregnancy

There is strong evidence of the risks of obesity and excess weight gain in pregnancy and yet there are no UK guidelines on what constitutes a safe weight gain. Slimming World is calling on government to introduce routine weight monitoring at key stages of pregnancy for all women, regardless of starting BMI. We also call for the introduction of clear guidelines on safe and healthy weight gain in pregnancy.

          4. The Government must raise awareness of the calories contained in alcohol by supporting clear labelling on alcoholic drinks

Most non-alcoholic food and drink products must display calorie information on the labels yet alcohol is exempt. Slimming World is calling on the Government to mandate that industry introduces clear calorie labelling on alcoholic drinks so that the public can make their own informed choice.

          5. Protection for young people and families

Slimming World’s research highlights a pressing need for support for families and young people to make healthier choices around food and drink along with changes to the way supermarkets market to their consumers. Slimming World is calling on the Government to implement policy and incentives for industry to ensure businesses are responsible when it comes to selling, labelling and incentivising the purchase of high-calorie food and drink.

Launching the new manifesto, Jenny Caven, Slimming World’s Director of External Affairs, said: “We are absolutely certain that the only way that the obesity epidemic will ever be reversed is through partnerships between government and organisations dedicated to beating this major public health problem. To have a real impact we need to start with programmes that influence the whole family and deliver effective lifestyle behaviour change at scale.

“A pattern of changing political priorities leaves the millions of people whose lives are impacted by obesity unsupported and leaves health professionals on the front line with little to offer the people in their care.

“There is no doubt that obesity is both complex and multifaceted. However, Slimming World believes that by adopting these five calls, a new government will be able to make a very real impact on obesity which has created an unsustainable financial burden on the NHS.

“The obesity epidemic and the impact that it has on health conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer as well as mental health and wellbeing needs everyone – health professionals, politicians, policy-makers and industry experts – to agree that obesity is the greatest threat to our national health and that tackling it is an urgent priority for our future national wellbeing.”

Slimming World holds around 19,000 weekly groups across Britain – in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – run by a network of 5,000 community-based Slimming World Consultants. Around one million members attend groups in community venues each week or use the digital service, Slimming World Online.

Slimming World’s full manifesto is available at the top right download link at the top of this page.

Slimming World’s Director of External Affairs, Jenny Caven, has been invited to speak at tonight’s All Party Parliamentary Group for a Fit and Healthy Childhood on Management of Obesity in Children and Young People, to discuss the need to educate and empower both children and families to make healthier choices.

Ahead of speaking Jenny says: “Today’s report from CRUK mirrors our own research that identified the huge impact that upselling and price promotion has on obesity. It shows the importance of collaboration to address the national scandal of obesity particularly in relation to children and families. 

“This obesity crisis is not something that can be solved by just the public sector or by government legislation. It needs a concerted, united effort across every sector of society. We need to collaborate across sectors and concentrate our efforts to tackle and prevent rising obesity, take a family approach to every solution and make every contact count.”

Phil Royal from the Secretariat of the APPG for a Fit and Healthy Childhood says: “We’re delighted to have Jenny Caven addressing the group on the day this important research from CRUK is released. Slimming World and CRUK are both important contributors to this group whose strength is in its scope and range of public, voluntary and private sector members.”

Price promotion is significantly linked to upselling, and Slimming World’s own research with the Royal Society of Public Health in 2017 showed that nearly 80% of the general public surveyed had experienced being upsold to at least once in a week – persuaded to buy food or drink additional or more expensive than they otherwise would have bought.

A Slimming World spokesperson says: “Our Nutrition team routinely review our Food Optimising eating plan to ensure it’s up to date, in line with the latest guidance, and to take into account feedback from our 5,000 Consultants and 900,000 Slimming World members.

“As part of this process, we’ve been looking at how to give our vegan members more choice, and we’re delighted that a number of vegan foods, including canned jackfruit and plain and unsmoked seitan, can now be enjoyed freely by slimmers following our plan.

“In addition, a number of products – fat-free flavoured yogurts, tinned pasta shapes in tomato sauce and instant mashed potato – that were previously Free on our plan, meaning they could be eaten without weighing, counting or measuring, will now have a small Syn value (all food and drink that isn’t Free has a Syn value and members enjoy between five and 15 Syns daily).

“This is because some of these foods are often eaten in large amounts, as a ‘snack’ rather than being enjoyed as part of a meal, or because they’re less filling than alternatives, such as mashed potato made with fresh potatoes, or dried pasta with a home-made tomato sauce. As the new Syn values are still so low, members can easily still include them within their daily choices, if that's what they choose to do, and fat-free natural yogurts, dried pasta and potatoes will continue to be Free.” 

This information is taken from the USA’s National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), which tracks the habits of 10,000 people who have successfully maintained their weight loss. The list starts with the finding that 90% of successful weight-loss maintainers continue to follow a low fat/low energy diet. At the very bottom of the list, at only 4%, is the finding that those who maintain their weight loss spend less time with overweight friends. The Slimming World booklet from which this information is taken goes on to promote and explore more deeply a number of different habits, including becoming more active, eating breakfast and keeping track of food and exercise. It explains that we don’t believe successful slimmers choose to lose old friends, rather that they gain new ones who share their new active habits and healthy lifestyle.

Slimming World welcomes and supports people at every stage of their weight-loss journey and we work hard to ensure all of our groups are free from judgement and humiliation. We believe developing a strong support network is important for success – indeed, we encourage our 140,000 members who have reached their personal achievement target to continue to attend their weekly group for free to support and share their experience with members who are still losing weight. And we work extremely hard to provide a positive and inclusive community for all.

Experts from the Royal College of Midwives and Slimming World say that not speaking to overweight women about their weight during pregnancy is a missed opportunity. They are calling for clearer guidance on healthy weight management for expectant mothers, and more support, training and equipment for midwives.

NHS data shows that one in five women (21%) start pregnancy with a BMI in the ‘obese’ range. Yet there are no national guidelines for women, midwives or health professionals on weight management during pregnancy. Excess weight in pregnancy is linked to increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, gestational diabetes and stillbirth, among other serious health issues.

Surveys of 110 midwives and 740 women, led by both Slimming World and the Royal College of Midwives, revealed that overweight expectant mothers are left feeling confused by the lack of clear information. Not only this, midwives are also concerned that they cannot offer the best support to these women in the absence of clear guidelines.

Nearly all of the women surveyed (91%) said that pregnancy was a time during which they were potentially more open than usual to healthy lifestyle messages, yet less than half discussed their weight with their midwife.

Half of the women surveyed (48%) said that their midwife never spoke to them about their weight and more than one in 10 (11%) said they were not weighed throughout the duration of their pregnancy. Women are normally weighed at their first appointment with a midwife, usually between week eight and 12 of the pregnancy.

The survey of midwives showed that they also have some concerns about this issue. Almost half (43%) of midwives surveyed said they were not very confident or not at all confident about advising women on their weight management during pregnancy.

A similar number (around 40%) said they were very worried or fairly worried about asking women to be weighed when it is not their first appointment.

Nearly two-thirds of midwives (62%) said they were worried about causing offence if they asked women to be weighed and almost a quarter (24.7%) said they did not have facilities to weigh women in all of the settings in which they provide antenatal care.

Almost four-fifths of midwives (79%) said they would feel more confident talking about weight management with women if they had more training. The vast majority (90%) also said they would feel more confident if they had formal guidance on healthy weight gain in pregnancy.

Carolyn Pallister, Slimming World Public Health Manager and Dietitian, said: “The women who participated in this survey told us that they were more open to talking about a healthy lifestyle when they were pregnant so we need to make sure that midwives feel that they have the right training and resources to support that. As it stands, this is a significant missed opportunity to share healthy lifestyle messages and guidance.

“As part of our partnership with the Royal College of Midwives, Slimming World welcomes pregnant members; however our service is very different for those that are expecting. We do not suggest any significant weight change – gain or loss – during pregnancy. Instead, we support members to eat a healthy, balanced diet and remain physically active where appropriate. Our priority is a happy, healthy, mum-to-be!

“Currently though, in the UK, women aren’t routinely weighed while pregnant and, in fact, not all midwives even have access to weighing scales at their clinic sites. Midwives are further held back by the absence of guidelines on how much weight is safe to gain during pregnancy, and by the lack of training on how to raise the issue of weight with women.

“The current situation is that women are left feeling confused and unsupported at this most important of times and that needs to change.”

Gill Walton, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “There is strong evidence of the risks of obesity and excess weight gain in pregnancy and yet there are no UK guidelines on what constitutes a safe weight gain, and many midwives have to use their own initiative and refer to American guidance.

“There is a clear need for midwives to have the tools, guidance and training they need so that they can offer women the best possible support and care. This is especially pressing because of the potentially serious complications that can arise in pregnancy as a result of women being overweight or obese. It is a real concern that some midwives do not have access to that most basic piece of equipment, scales.

“We are calling for clear guidance on healthy weight management in pregnancy and will be looking at how we can take this forward so that women and midwives have the information, support and resources needed.”

Liz Evans, a midwife and mum-of-two who lost more than 5st with Slimming World, has a unique understanding of the challenges both mums and midwives face when it comes to maternal obesity.

At her heaviest, Liz weighed more than 14st and found her weight affecting both her work and overall health. She says: “I’d feel like a sweaty, exhausted mess by the end of every shift. I had high blood pressure and palpitations, and I felt more like a 56-year-old than a 26-year-old.

Liz, now 32, from Liverpool, adds: “Also, I was expected as part of my job to advise new mums about nutrition. Nobody ever asked why someone my size felt she was entitled to talk to them about healthy eating – they were too polite. Even so, I felt like the biggest hypocrite in Liverpool.

“I wasn’t a comfort eater, just a disorganised one – with 40 hours a week spent at the hospital and another two days in my admin job, I thought I didn’t have time to cook. Inevitably, I would just grab something high in fat and low in freshness.”

Liz decided to join Slimming World and in 2013 she won the national ‘Miss Slinky’ award after losing 5st in eight months. She went on to marry her husband Fran wearing a size 8-10 dress.

“As I started losing weight steadily, my confidence increased. I lost 2st in my first two months, then settled into a healthy pattern of 1-2lbs a week. For me, it’s all about having a quick solution for when I’m hungry: if I’ve got a hearty meal with me I don’t get tempted by ready meals, sandwich bars or takeaways.

“Once I’d lost the weight, it was no problem dashing around the ward or to the operating theatre for a potential emergency, where when I was bigger I’d be out of breath and have a mad scramble to find scrubs big enough to fit.

“Since then I’ve qualified as a midwife at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and had two beautiful babies of my own. While I’ve gained a little weight since I got married – I’m now 11st – I’m happy, healthy and enjoy being active day to day. It feels amazing to be setting a healthy example to my children. I was so glad to have a healthy weight when carrying my babies. It’s great to be able to talk to mums about their weight with a real understanding and empathy of what it’s like to be overweight and how great it feels to lose weight. I tell them if I can do it, anyone can!"

Jenny Caven says: “Obesity is a complex and multi-layered issue that has an impact on physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing. The public is confused about how to eat healthily and is constantly bombarded with promotion of foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar. Arming people with knowledge to make healthier choices is essential and equipping families to eat healthily and become more active are the key to a healthy future for our children. There is strong evidence of a link between parents who are overweight and a child’s propensity to obesity and we agree that new initiatives and policy must encourage a whole-family approach.

“It is essential that people who struggle with their weight aren’t stigmatised. We need to work together with health professionals to create a culture of concern, care and compassion to help families make healthier choices. We need to shift the balance towards eating plenty of foods that are low in energy density and are the foundations of normal everyday meals and create safe, accessible opportunities for families to be active. We believe the Government should support a national training programme for healthcare professionals to help them effectively raise the issue of obesity and weight management, giving them skills to recognise when it would be beneficial to raise the issue of weight with patients in a sensitive and skilled way; understand the difficulties that people suffering from overweight or obesity face and recognise the need for empathy and care in helping them to address the issue; and be familiar with the options of where to signpost patients, pupils or students for advice, practical real-life solutions and support in making sustainable healthy lifestyle changes.

“Consumers are being overwhelmed with information in a food and drink market that can be difficult to understand. The industry uses numerous marketing ploys initiatives and consumer psychology to maximise sales, leading to the industry being worth more than £100 billion annually in the UK. Most consumers will be familiar with common practices such as buy-one-get-one-free offers, half price deals on certain products, reduced for a limited time or multi-pack discount bargains on food and drink. All of these techniques are used to maximise profit whilst making consumers feel like they’ve received a good deal. When Slimming World and the Royal Society of Public Health conducted research in 2017 to ask the general public about their experience of upselling – to be persuaded to buy food or drink additional or more expensive than they otherwise would have bought – nearly 80% of them said they had experienced being upsold to at least once in a week. Young people are even more likely to be exposed to upselling, with 18-24 year-olds experiencing it 166 times each year – nearly every other day – and going on to consume an extra 750 calories per week as a result. We call for the Government to address upselling alongside legislation to ban buy one get one free deals as the practice can easily increase the extra unsatisfying calories we are consuming, often without us realising it.”

“Nurses can also have an additional emotional pressure. Many of them tell us they often feel uncomfortable raising the issue of weight. Many find it difficult talking to patients about their weight and health if they are overweight themselves. In actual fact, the experience of having struggled with their own weight can be a positive. It can give nurses an insight into the emotional issues of guilt and self-criticism that come with it, while accessing proven evidence-based support themselves can give them a greater understanding of the options to signpost patients to.

“Certainly nurses who would like help in managing their weight should be supported to make healthy changes. More healthy food options in the workplace, encouraging more flexible working and breaks to reduce stress, support to get more active or providing access to weight management services such as a Slimming World or other support groups are just some of the actions the NHS and other workplaces that employ health professionals could take. Supporting nurses who want to lose weight to make healthier choices could help to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity, as well as improve confidence in supporting patients, especially with weight issues which are, of course, so prevalent in wider society as well as the health profession.”

Megan McGee lost more than 5st with Slimming World so that she could be the healthiest version of herself in her role as nurse. She appeared on the This Morning sofa today talking to Phil and Holly about her experiences, and how she lost weight to set a healthy example to her patients and why it’s important to recognise that nurses are humans too and face many of the same challenges when it comes to managing a healthy weight.

Read Megan's story here: http://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/success-stories/megan-mcgee.aspx

A number of behaviour change techniques are recommended in the new Public Health England guidance to help people develop new lifestyle behaviours to lose weight and keep it off for the long-term. These techniques, which include setting eating and activity goals, accessing ongoing social support, developing strategies to overcome challenges and learning to cope with relapse, are all key factors in the Slimming World programme.

We hope that the guidance will enable more people who struggle with weight to access the support they need for long-term weight loss and behaviour change.

A short video about the guidance can be seen below. 

The full guidance can be accessed here.

[1] Stubbs, R.J., Pallister, C., Whybrow, S., Avery, A. and Lavin, J.H. (2011). Weight outcomes audit for 34,271 adults referred to a primary care/commercial weight management partnership scheme. Obesity Facts, 4(2): 113-120.

Following this evening’s The One Show and subsequent statement from the manufacturers of Porky Lights, G White & Co., we are still extremely concerned that the company has failed to address how independent tests commissioned by Slimming World and a number of other organisations – over a number of months – produced such high fat levels so inconsistent with the company’s own testing and the product’s low fat claims. Nor have G White & Co. explained how they plan to prevent this from happening again in the future.

Furthermore, we have recently become aware that the packaging for Porky Lights sausages, the nutrition information and the way in which the manufacturer is measuring fat levels has all changed. We’ve also seen reports from people on social media suggesting recently purchased Porky Lights sausages differ in appearance and taste from products they bought earlier this year. While the recent tests commissioned by The One Show and Trading Standards would indicate that the manufacturer has taken urgent steps to lower the fat levels, consistency is still our main concern.

We have always maintained that if the manufacturers are able to show us that they have put procedures in place to ensure they can consistently achieve improved results, and are able to provide regular, reliable lab reports which demonstrate that Porky Lights are consistently in line with the information declared on their packaging, we would welcome the opportunity to reinstate the sausages onto our database. Unfortunately we are not yet at this point.

In the 26 years that we have had a food database, we have developed excellent relationships with more than 1,500 manufacturers and retailers. This isn’t a ‘sausage squabble’. This is about continuing to provide our members with accurate information and a service they can trust to protect their weight loss. We’d be letting our 900,000 members down if we were to ignore this issue.

Porky Lights sausages statement - 17/03/2017

Following concerns and controversy about the fat levels in Porky Lights sausages, Slimming World has in recent weeks commissioned independent tests to investigate the issue further. Slimming World sent 13 samples of sausages, bought from a number of stores around the country, to two UKAS accredited laboratories for testing. We felt it was important to obtain our own test reports because G White & Co., the company who make Porky Lights, were publicly accusing us of relying on sabotaged test results commissioned by competitor companies - in effect suggesting that we were misleading our members and seeking to discredit their company.

The results of the new tests show that the fat content of the sausages varied enormously and none of the sausages we sent for testing were actually low fat. The table below sets out each of the results (please note that contractually we are not allowed to name the laboratories used or show the actual test certificates) and clearly shows that the average fat content is anything between 8.7g/100g and 19.4g/100g - all significantly higher than the 3.8g/100g fat (or 2.5g fat per sausage) declared on the nutrition information on Porky Lights’ packaging. We have photographs to prove that what we sent for testing were unopened packs of Porky Lights sausages.

These results are in addition to the previous test results which we were shown by one of our suppliers, which consisted of eight reports showing average fat contents ranging from 9.6g/100g to 19.1 g/100g.

As these results show that the fat levels are both high and very inconsistent we have communicated to our 4,500 Consultants across the UK and Ireland to let them know that we are unable to give even an estimated Syn value for Porky Lights at this time.

We have passed on the results of all the tests conducted to date to G White & Co. and we will also be referring the matter to Trading Standards.

G White and Co. continue to dispute the reliability of any of these results: they have shown us results which they commissioned (as it happens from the same laboratory that our supplier used for seven of the earlier tests) showing fat contents of under 3g/100g.

Following communications about our concerns earlier in March, we saw a great deal of negative comments about Slimming World’s motivation for alerting its members to possible inconsistencies in the fat content of Porky Lights. We were accused of attacking Porky Lights because they are a competitor to our own sausages. Nothing is further from the truth - there are various low Syn sausages on the market, and we are happy to share that information with our members so that they are able to make informed choices according to their own personal taste preferences.

We would also like to correct the false claim that the company which obtained the earlier test results upon which we relied supplies us with our own Slimming World/Iceland frozen sausages. It does not.

We’d like to make it absolutely clear that we’ve taken this action to make sure that the information we give to members is as accurate as it can be and to protect members’ weight losses. We must rely on declared information on pack until and unless we have cause to question it. We have had to take this further action to protect our good name and the reputation and good name of every Slimming World Consultant, especially in light of G White’s accusations of sabotage.

Porky Lights sausages statement - 3/03/2017

We think it’s important, after what’s been a turbulent week, with a lot of information and misinformation in the press and on social media, to give you and our members a recap on where we are at with Porky Lights sausages. There are some important facts and figures behind this story which need to be borne in mind.

We’ve been aware, of course, of how popular Porky Lights sausages are with members – however, during a tasting session, we were slightly concerned by the apparent level of fat in the samples we tried. Because of this, one of our trusted suppliers sent some samples of Porky Lights for testing in a professional laboratory. We now have several test reports which show various samples of the sausages to have materially higher levels of fat than those claimed on the packs: between 14.2g/100g and 19.1g/100g. We have faced criticism from Porky Lights’ manufacturers for using a third party to do this work – however, we have no reason whatsoever to doubt the accuracy of the tests.

We contacted the manufacturer of Porky Lights, G White & Co., to let them know our results. They were extremely concerned, because they also had test evidence (which they shared with us) which showed that the sausages were at the levels stated on the pack.

After serious consideration – faced with such a heavy weight of conflicting evidence about the fat content of the sausages – we decided that by far the safest option – to protect our members’ weight losses – was to withdraw the sausages from the database, until we had a chance to investigate further. And we felt we needed to advise members that we couldn’t guarantee that the sausages should be counted as half a Syn, and based on the results we had seen, it would be best to count the sausages as we would count an average pork sausage, as 4.5 Syns.

Because of the furore this caused on social media, the story was picked up by the national media – this was never our intention. This caused G White & Co. to respond by accusing other manufacturers of sabotage.

We have no alternative now until we have consistent and accurate information to provide to our members (which will include more independent testing) to keep the sausages off the database. We feel sure that G White & Co. will be conducting their own tests.

Once we have that information, we’ll be able to decide whether Porky Lights are consistently at the fat level they claim (and there was, for instance, a rogue or mislabeled batch as some people are suggesting).

We know that some people are accusing Slimming World of deliberately ‘penalising’ Porky Lights so that we can sell more of our own sausages. Nothing is further from the truth! There are many low Syn sausages featured on our database, and if further information establishes that these initial tests weren’t typical, then we’ll be happy to confirm the half Syn value for them. We feel certain you’ll understand – and will help our members to understand – that any action that Slimming World takes comes purely from a desire for members to have all the information they need to lose weight successfully.

We’ll keep you updated over the next week or so to let you know the results of our testing.

Porky Lights sausages statement - 2/03/17

“Food labelling legislation is very precise and any manufacturer of food products is legally obliged to declare accurate ingredients and nutritional information within the relevant tolerances.

Amongst other criteria, Slimming World provides information on food products based on these ingredient lists and nutritional information to support members with their weight loss.

The information we make available about a product is always subject to revision if circumstances change. If concerns are raised about the information we have a responsibility to our members to remove that product from the database until we can be assured by the manufacturer that the information is indeed correct.

We have developed excellent relationships with manufacturers and retailers and this process has served us and our members well in the 26 years that we have had a food database.”

Porky Lights sausages statement - 01/03/17

Allison Brentnall, Head of Food at Slimming World, said: “We sent a batch of the Porky Lights sausages away for nutritional analysis as we felt concerned about the fatty texture. This is something we do routinely with products that we worry may affect our members’ weight losses.

“The analysis of this batch suggests that the sausages are indeed much higher in fat than the nutritional information on the product’s packaging had indicated – and this would affect their Syn value significantly.

“We’ve let Porky Lights know about our findings and, in order to protect our members’ weight losses, which is always our priority, we have temporarily removed the sausages from our Syns database.”

Ahead of the publication of the official strategy, Slimming World and the Royal Society for Public Health asked young people what they felt was causing child obesity and how the government should tackle it.

Around half blamed fast food takeaways and 25% had ordered a takeaway to their school – showing why tackling junk food is so important.

As well as banning fast food deliveries to schools, young people also called for measures such as a loyalty card that rewards healthy food choices and food packaging to contain nutrition information for the whole product, not per serving.

Jenny Caven, Head of External Affairs, said: “These latest figures once again highlight the scale of the child obesity problem.

“Being overweight can lead to many issues with physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing and the effects are magnified when it begins in childhood.

“In their recently published childhood obesity strategy, the government failed to recognise that obesity is a complex and multi-layered issue and failed to listen to the views of weight loss experts and young people themselves.

“We now call on the government to acknowledge that the publication of its new strategy is very much a starting point and that engaging with and listening to experts in the field of weight management and behaviour change is essential if we are to make a difference to our children’s current and future health and wellbeing.”

Earlier this year the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), the Youth Health Movement, and Slimming World published the Child’s Obesity Strategy after working closely with 13-18 years old from across the UK to ask how young people would solve the childhood obesity epidemic.

Jenny Caven, Head of External Affairs said: “This is the first time that young people had been asked for their views on obesity and they identified a number of steps which could be taken by food manufacturers, retailers, Government and others to help tackle childhood obesity.

“Interestingly, many of the steps identified by the young people are steps that have been previously identified by experts but not acted on by the Government.”

Ms Caven added: “Obesity is a complex and multi-layered issue that has an impact on physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing. Overconsumption of sugar is a major public health issue but it is important to remember that reducing sugar intake is just one factor in supporting people to adopt healthier lifestyles and other key issues, such as reducing the consumption of high fat foods and understanding how to make healthy eating choices, must be addressed too.

“There is strong evidence of a link between parents who are overweight and a child’s propensity to obesity so it is vital that any new initiatives and policy must encourage a whole family approach.

“Our report, ‘The Child’s Obesity Strategy’ made a number of recommendations from young people themselves including a call to ban fast food deliveries to schools and putting health warning classifications on foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar.

“We call on the government to recognise that the publication of its new strategy is very much a starting point and the dialogue with experts in the field of weight management and behaviour change must be a priority. A whole generation is depending on it.” 

At Slimming World we agree that counting calories is not an effective way to lose weight in the long term. As our 800,000 members who lose weight each week by following Food Optimising show, it is possible to develop new healthy habits by enjoying a balanced eating plan that includes eating as much Free Foods - meat, fish, eggs, potatoes, pasta and rice as well as fruit and vegetables – as necessary to satisfy their appetite. And by enjoying an occasional sweet treat like a small chocolate bar, a slice of cake, a biscuit or a glass of wine it is still possible to lose weight without feeling deprived or restricted. What is really key to anyone struggling with their weight and at risk of developing or being treated for conditions like Type 2 diabetes is support to make changes and develop new healthy lifestyle habits including being physically active.

The NOF report may attract attention and stir debate but it is likely to further confuse the public about what will and will not help them navigate to a healthier weight in our obesogenic environment. People need clear, consistent advice, a realistic, family-friendly eating plan and, most importantly of all, the support to make sustainable changes that will enable them to manage their weight in the long-term.

Carolyn says; “Dame Sally has produced new guidelines to safeguard the public from the harmful effects of excess alcohol but the guidelines fail to acknowledge the link between obesity and alcohol, both as alcohol is often high in calories and drinking too much alcohol can impact on weight-affecting lifestyle behaviours.

“Over the next two decades, the number of obese adults in the UK is forecast to rise by 73% to 26 million people. As well as the serious physical conditions obesity can lead to — from diabetes and raised blood pressure to the increased risk of heart disease and cancer — people who struggle with their weight often experience chronic issues of low confidence, poor self-esteem and even mental ill-health.

“Alcoholic drinks are highly calorific and people need to be made aware of what they are consuming so that they can make their own informed choices. We believe that calorie labelling on alcoholic drinks will go some way to redressing this balance."

Slimming World says that to raise awareness of the fact that alcohol is high in calories is one step towards linking the impact of alcohol on weight gain. However it believes that the Government should also improve guidance in public health campaigns about how drinking too much alcohol can impact on weight-affecting lifestyle behaviours – leading to people eating unhealthily and being less active.

Carolyn adds: “Government campaigns encourage people to eat healthily and then, as this new guidance demonstrates separately spends millions warning about the dangers of excessive drinking, but it fails to point out the connection between the two.” 

Carolyn Pallister, Slimming World Public Health Manager, says: “The CMO is absolutely right to highlight the opportunity for health professionals to talk to women who are planning a pregnancy about how they can manage their weight and improve their health.

“This is a natural time for women to think not only about their own health but also the health of their future child. During this period, many women are particularly open, not only to taking action to lose weight, but also to doing it with support to make long-term changes to their eating habits and becoming more active, rather than through faddy short-term diets.

“We’re the only national weight management organisation to support women through every stage of their pregnancy, from pre-conception to post natally, and work closely with the Royal College of Midwives. We know that many health professionals may worry about talking to women about their weight for fear of causing offence. However, with such strong evidence that carrying excess weight can increase the health risks for both mother and baby, they really have a duty of care to raise the issue.

“The really important thing though is how health professionals go about having that difficult conversation. Talking to patients about their weight in a compassionate, caring and respectful way can empower women to make healthy changes, while being critical or judgemental is not only offensive, it can be very counterproductive.

“We believe the Government should introduce a national training programme for health professionals to give them the skills to raise the issue in a compassionate way and to understand where to signpost patients for effective support in making healthy lifestyle changes, losing weight and maintaining weight loss.”

Case study

Julie Guihen, 34, from Sheffield, was diagnosed with PCOS age 18 years ago. At the time her doctor let her know that, coupled with her weight, the condition could make it difficult for her to conceive. It stayed at the back of her mind until 2014 later when she joined Slimming World, lost 2st and fell pregnant. She’s now lost a total of 5st.

“After my doctor talked to me about my weight and PCOS I didn’t take action immediately,” Julie says. “Rather, I waited until I decided to have a child at which point I felt ready to make a change.

“I could have lost weight on a faddy diet, but I didn’t see the point really. I wanted this to be a proper lifestyle change so that not only would I lose weight, but I’d also learn the habits to give my child the best possible start in life too.

“I joined Slimming World last year and felt immediately at home after receiving a warm welcome. Making changes such as cooking healthy meals from scratch while still being able to have the occasional treat meant that I never felt hungry or deprived. I lost 2st and was amazed when I got the news that I was pregnant.

“Slimming World has a special programme for pregnant women that focuses on making healthy lifestyle changes, rather than on weight loss. My midwife was happy for me to continue attending Slimming World throughout my pregnancy to help me stay on-track and avoid gaining excess weight. I had a very healthy pregnancy and have now lost a total of 5st since first joining Slimming World.

“There is no doubt that this has been an amazing thing for me and my family. We all eat the same meals, we’re happy and healthy, and we love going out and about together. It was definitely the right time for me to make a change when I was planning a family and I’m sure that will be the case for many other women too.”

“Bariatric surgery carries serious health risks and can be emotionally stressful," says Carolyn. "So while maintaining a healthy weight has a positive impact on conception, pregnancy outcome and the long-term health of mother and baby, it’s really important that women are encouraged to manage their weight by getting support to make healthy lifestyle changes first of all.

“Many people hope that surgery will be a quick fix, but it’s rarely the magic bullet they were hoping for. As well as the risk of complications such as possible infections, blockages, slippages if you have a gastric band, and food intolerances, the possibility of nutritional deficiencies means that women are advised not to conceive within 12-18 months of having the operation.

“When losing weight through bariatric surgery, patients still need to make long-term healthy lifestyle changes, which is why several hundred bariatric surgery patients have begun attending Slimming World in the last year for additional healthy lifestyle support.

“With all this in mind it clearly makes sense for women who wish to lose weight and start a family to be guided towards weight management support groups rather than surgery, at least in the first instance. This will enable them to develop healthy habits so they can lose weight and give their baby the best possible start in life by passing healthy lifestyle behaviours on to their children.”

The official press release from the WHO states that while processed meat has been classed as ‘Group 1’, meaning that there is now sufficient evidence that it can cause colorectal cancer in humans, the risk remains relatively small. Though not as strong, there is also some evidence that excessive red meat consumption could probably cause cancer in some cases, though again the risk is small.

These findings are in line with World Cancer Research Fund findings from 2011 and latest Government guidance.

Professor Tim Key from our charity partner Cancer Research UK has reassured people that the decision doesn’t mean people need to stop eating red and processed meat and smoking remains by far the biggest risk to health, while the British Nutrition Foundation also reminds people that red meat is a good source of protein, iron and zinc and that other lifestyle choices that have been strongly linked to reducing cancer risk such as losing weight, taking more exercise, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol consumption also need to be considered.

Slimming World’s advice that members can enjoy lean and processed meat as part of an overall healthy diet doesn’t need to change. Our Food Optimising book recommends that members choose high-protein alternatives to red meat such as fish, poultry and pulses as often as they choose red meat in order to meet Department of Health guidelines which suggest that people have no more than 500g of meat each week and we will continue to advise this.

Other factors like obesity, smoking and physical inactivity remain a far greater risk factor for many cancers than red or processed meat consumption and by helping people to lose weight, get more active, eat more fruit and vegetables and choose lean cuts of meat (fatty food is another risk factor) as well as enjoy a variety of different types of meat, including fish and poultry, Slimming World helps members to reduce their risk of developing cancer.

We will continue to monitor developments in this area and Department of Health guidance on healthy eating. If any recommendations change we will incorporate this into our advice to members.