REAL LIFE
Obesity is now such a problem in the UK that one leading expert describes it as a pandemic – with patients presenting younger and bigger than ever before.
One-in-four adults is now overweight and an increased reliance on cheap, ultra-processed food – which accounts for 57 per cent of what Brits eat – is partly to blame, according to studies.
The effects of obesity are widespread. It causes severe health conditions including heart disease, diabetes and cancer, costing about £6.5 billion in the UK every year, according to the NHS. Globally, the World Health Organisation says at least 2.8 million people die each year as a result of being overweight or obese.
Obesity expert, Dr Chinnadorai Rajeswaran, says the public have simply got used to “eating too much and not exercising enough”.
A new eye-opening Channel 4 TV show called Around The World In 80 Weighs looks at the problem as it follows six people across Britain, who are each living with obesity. They travel the globe and find out why obesity rates are increasing, discover the potential implications on their health if they can’t tackle their own challenges, and meet people in each country who may be able to help them achieve their personal weight-loss goals. Closer speaks to Marissa, 31, who used the show to help turn her life around…
Marissa, 31, is a healthcare administrator who lives in Kent with her husband Russell, 36, a healthcare insurer. The couple have both struggled with their weight but after appearing on the TV show, feel confident for the future.
Marissa says, “My husband and I were desperate to lose weight but had tried everything without success. When we saw an advert to apply for a weight loss show, we jumped at the opportunity and were thrilled when we were chosen. We haven’t looked back! I’ve lost 5st and have never felt better.
“My weight problems started when I was at primary school. I was bullied and sought comfort in food. If anything bad happened, I’d eat, and it snowballed. It was my comfort but also my hell too.
CHANGE OF MINDSET
“I met Russell when we were at school, but we didn’t get together until eight years ago. We got married in September 2021 and Russell had always said how much he wanted a family. His dad died at 56, when Russell was just 19. He had type two diabetes and collapsed while working at the pub he ran. Russell worried that if we didn’t change our ways, he’d die early too.
“We both want children, but I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease in 2019 which makes it difficult to lose weight. And it also affects my fertility and increases my chances of miscarriage. I wanted to
