The growing problem of obesity

Studies have shown that moderate weight loss will help to lift mood and improve body satisfaction and self-confidence. Losses of 5-10% of initial body weight are usually associated with significant improvements to health, according to research published by Dr R Jung in the British Medical Bulletin in 1997.

Better treatment and advice
Clearly, treatment of overweight people and obesity has to include efforts towards improving the diet and exercise patterns of individuals but should also take in to account their psychological well-being. This is the philosophy of a new charity called Weight Concern, which was founded in 1997 by Professor Jane Wardle, Clinical Psychologist, and Lorna Rappaport, Dietician, University College of London.

Weight Concern aims to address both the physical and psychological problems of overweight people by promoting the better treatment and advice for people suffering from obesity. The charity also aims to provide a forum for overweight people to express their views about service provision. The public can subscribe to a quarterly newsletter for Friends. For more information visit www.weightconcern.com