Diet fad or fact? New survey reveals why people struggle to lose weight and keep it off
As a new survey finds more than half of UK adults have attempted a fad diet, the UK and Ireland’s largest weight loss organisation is calling on the government to support the option of evidence-based and effective lifestyle-based weight loss programmes working in partnership with the NHS.
The survey,1 released today, revealed almost three-quarters (71 per cent) of those who attempted a fad diet – which promotes rapid weight loss without robust scientific evidence to support them – didn't lose any weight or didn’t lose as much weight as they wanted, and 11 per cent admitted they actually gained weight.2
While people looking to lose weight are often bombarded with ‘miracle’ trends and claims of quick fixes, the survey reveals that 44 per cent of UK adults do not research a new weight loss method to gauge its effectiveness before deciding to follow it. More than a third (38 per cent) of those who have tried a fad diet said they found it on social media, and 35 per cent admitted they could only stick to it for up to six days. The survey findings highlight that, although people want to lose weight, the methods they resort to are often ineffective and unsustainable.
As obesity rates continue to rise – in 2022 to 2023, 64 per cent of adults aged 18 years and over in England were estimated to be overweight or living with obesity3 – the prevalence of fad diets can be hard to ignore for those keen to lose weight quickly.
As well as the personal cost to individuals, the number of people living with obesity has a knock-on effect on both the NHS and the economy. Nevertheless, in 2023, the previous government effectively replaced the entire obesity strategy with the announcement of a £40m pilot to roll out GLP-1 weight loss medication to a wider population.
This one intervention for medically eligible people, with potential side effects, is not a ‘silver bullet’ for weight loss, and the pilot has suffered numerous setbacks, including supply issues. People need to be offered a range of solutions so they can find what works for them. Despite being shown to be effective, referral places on weight loss programmes offering diet, physical activity and behaviour change support – principles backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – are not widely available across the UK, and this needs to be addressed. A lack of suitable support can drive people to seek out fad diets that ultimately fail them.
Slimming World, the UK and Ireland’s largest weight management organisation and which commissioned the survey into fad diets, is calling on the new government to commit to actively supporting the option of evidence-based and effective lifestyle-based weight loss programmes in partnership with the NHS so that healthcare professionals have a full range of treatment choices for adults who want to lose weight without medicalising obesity with weight loss injections as the first and only option.
Slimming World is also asking the government to provide adequate and ongoing wraparound support for those who choose to use weight loss drugs to adopt new healthier habits by ensuring effective wraparound support comprising the principles of a balanced diet, physical activity and behaviour change strategies to support them to lose weight and maintain the loss after they stop taking the drugs.
Dr Amanda Avery, Slimming World’s Health and Research Consultant Dietitian, says: “It's easy to fall for quick fixes when social media is flooded with misinformation, especially when we're desperate to lose weight. When it comes to lasting weight loss, we can see from our research how important it is to follow an effective, healthy and sustainable approach.
“It’s completely understandable people want to believe there’s a miracle quick fix to weight loss, but quite simply there isn’t one. Losing weight and keeping it off isn’t easy; it requires change, which can be challenging. That’s why choosing an evidence-based approach and making sure people have support along the way is so important. Staying on track and committed until your efforts become everyday habits is the secret to long-term weight loss. Getting support to do that is exactly what Slimming World provides – and has done for 55 years.”
The survey, carried out independently by Censuswide, also polled members of Slimming World’s 13,000 community weight loss groups and online programme. Demonstrating Slimming World's effective package of support for long-term weight loss, 93 per cent of members questioned say that, since joining Slimming World, they feel more equipped to make the lasting changes they need, as they have the right tools and strategies to help them with their weight loss journey.
1. The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,004 nationally representative consumers across the UK (aged 18+) along with a self-selecting sample of 1,380 Slimming World members via Slimming World’s member website. The data was collected between 19.07.2024 - 24.07.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
2. Responses include those who lost weight initially but regained more weight than before when stopping.
3. Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, 'Obesity Profile: short statistical commentary May 2024', 08.05.24.
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