Today, one in five British people are obese - almost four times as many as 25 years ago. Even more worryingly, obesity rates are increasing in our children too, leading to obesity being described as the epidemic of the 21st Century. Latest figures from the Department of Health suggest that by 2010, 12 million adults and one million children will be obese.  

Diet and exercise are the best ways to lose weight but very few obese people manage to achieve sustained weight loss. Life-style changes involving increased activity and a healthier balanced diet may help keep weight off.

Drug treatment is available for selected people, via their General Practitioner, and has some success, but is not used long-term and can have side effects.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is one way to determine whether a person is overweight. People are considered obese if they have a body mass index above 30. Those most at risk of developing obesity-related illnesses are termed morbidly obese and have a BMI of 40 or above (or 35 and above if they already have an obesity-related illness).

Click here to calculate your BMI.