RETAILERS may have aided the “normalisation of being overweight”, boffins at the University of East Anglia say, via plus-size ranges like Marks & Spencer’s new Curve collection. That range caters for women sized 18 to 32. LYNSEY CLARKE hears from a plus-size wedding dress retailer and a former size-28 business manager about fuller-figure fashion. Yes, says size-18 slimmer Gemma Cruickshank BUSINESS manager Gemma, 28, used to be a size 28 before slimming down to an 18. She believes retailers celebrate obesity. Gemma, from Canary Wharf in East London, says: Three years ago I weighed 28st. I struggled to walk down the street without getting out of breath. I had to use seatbelt extenders on holiday flights and my daily commute was a job in itself. Despite all this, I convinced myself my body was empowering. From a young age I’d been overweight but no one ever confronted me about it. As I got older, on social media, I started getting praised by other … [Read more...] about We ask whether plus-size shops and bigger high street collections fuel obesity and normalise being overweight
Obesity
Obesity epidemic could fuel loneliness, as scientists find a genetic link
The obesity epidemic could be fuelling Britain’s growing problem of loneliness, scientists believe, after discovering a genetic link between the two conditions. Around a quarter of people over 65 in Britain suffer from loneliness, which can raise the risk of many diseases, and can even cause people to die earlier, while nearly two thirds are overweight. Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that similar areas in genes which increase the likelihood of people being overweight also influence social isolation. It is the first study to show a causal link between loneliness and obesity, and scientists suggest that it is possible to tackle the loneliness epidemic by encouraging people to lose weight. Dr John Perry, senior scientist at Cambridge University, said: “This study has enabled us to use genetics to identify a causal association between loneliness and obesity. “We often think that loneliness is driven purely by our surrounding environment and life … [Read more...] about Obesity epidemic could fuel loneliness, as scientists find a genetic link
Sugar in kids’ cereals must be slashed to beat childhood obesity, NHS boss warns
SUGAR in kids’ cereals must be cut over the next few years if the Government is to hit its target to beat childhood obesity, the NHS England boss warned last night. Simon Stevens issued the wake up call to food manufacturers saying parents were being taken in buying what they “think is a healthy breakfast cereal but turns out not to be”. He told MPs on the Commons Health and Social Care Committee it was “very concerning” that products marketed as healthy often contained large amounts of sugar. He blasted: “On average children are having the equivalent of three sugar lumps at breakfast. For poorer children that is often much worse. “That is obviously contributing a lot to the childhood obesity epidemic. Mr Stevens told MPs there needed to be a rethink on the ingredients that went into food. He added: “I think we are going to need to see much greater action on food reformulation over the next several years in the way that we have begun to … [Read more...] about Sugar in kids’ cereals must be slashed to beat childhood obesity, NHS boss warns
Urgency required on Scottish Government diet and obesity plan, say campaigners
It contains a number of actions to improve food education and commits to another consultation on restrictions to the promotion and advertising of food - despite there being overwhelming support for such measures in the previous consultation. The consultation document also promised to legislate, but there is no promise to legislate in the delivery plan. The forthcoming Good Food Nation Bill could provide opportunities to legislate, the plan hints, as well as a review of Scottish planning policy which could see restrictions of fast food outlets near schools or the provision of healthy grocery options in areas of deprivation. But a pledge to commit to mandatory labelling of out-of-home junk food in the consultation document has become a commitment to “encourage” responsible labelling in the delivery plan. Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick described the document as “the next step” in a target to halve childhood obesity by 2030. “But this is not just about … [Read more...] about Urgency required on Scottish Government diet and obesity plan, say campaigners
Obese mum says she finally lost weight due to a swarm of bees
A mum who struggled with her weight for 25 years has finally managed to shed the pounds - thanks to a swarm of bees. Kerry Johnson, from near Bournmoor, Houghton-le-Spring, says she battled to lose weight for most of her life and went on yo-yo diets that left her hopeless, self-conscious and morbidly obese. At her peak, she weighed around 14st 7lbs. But now the 35-year-old, who has two young daughters, has slimmed down to 9st 10lbs over the space of 10 months. And it all happened after she tried to protect her eldest daughter from a swarm of bees and found she wasn’t fit enough to take the youngster to safety. The incident with the bees took place in 2013 when she was pushing her baby up a hill in Alnwick. “There was a huge swarm of bees and I was terrified they were going to attack,” she said. “In that moment, I had to hand the buggy over to my husband and watch as he took my beautiful girl off to safety whilst I lumbered along behind. It was then that I knew … [Read more...] about Obese mum says she finally lost weight due to a swarm of bees