I THOUGHT LOSING WEIGHT WAS ABOUT WILLPOWER TURNS OUT, IT’S ABOUT SCIENCE

There is more to weight than just diet and exercise. Nearly 2/3rds of adults in the UK are estimated to be overweight. But, for something that is so common, it is often misunderstood, both by those who experience it and those who don’t.

Why do people carry excess weight?

It’s a common myth that excess weight is caused by a combination of eating too much and exercising too little, and that people who struggle to maintain a healthy weight just lack willpower. But the fact is, it’s just not that simple. Healthy eating and physical activity are important, but they may not be enough for some people to control their weight. There are many other factors that play a big part. For example:

What are the benefits of weight loss?

The really good news is that even relatively modest amounts of weight loss can lead to significant benefits and help to optimise your current and future health. Excess weight can have a significant impact on quality of life.

Areas affected by weight include:

For people who are carrying high levels of excess weight, losing just 5–15% of their body weight can lead to improvements in clinical outcomes for a number of other weight-related conditions.