Half of UK adults say they've put off losing weight
A new survey has found that half of UK adults (50 per cent) have put off trying to lose weight, with many saying that the delay has impacted their health and caused them to gain even more weight. The UK’s leading weight-management organisation, Slimming World, warns that weight loss injections are not the silver bullet for success this January.
The rising cost of obesity in the UK has soared from £58bn in 2020 to £98bn,1 with two-thirds of adults now classed as overweight or obese. Studies show children living with obesity are approximately five times more likely to become adults living with obesity.2 The nation is in a fight for weight loss.
A new survey of 2,000 UK adults commissioned by Slimming World, the UK and Ireland’s largest group-based weight-loss organisation, reveals that 50 per cent of UK adults say they’ve put off even trying to lose weight.3 More than one in five people (22 per cent) say they’ve delayed losing weight for three years or more, with many saying this has impacted their health and caused them to gain even more weight.
The survey, carried out by Censuswide, reveals four in 10 (42 per cent) have thought about losing weight at least once a week without taking action. This is despite more than two in five being unhappy with their size (43 per cent), more than half saying they know they eat unhealthy food (54 per cent), and seven in 10 wanting to improve their health (70 per cent). When questioned on why they delayed their weight loss, 38 per cent of UK adults agreed they waited for a ‘final straw’ before deciding to take action.
Renowned Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos says: “Delaying weight loss stems from fear of failure and feeling comfortable with what’s familiar. Each time we put off change, we chip away at our confidence, creating a cycle where taking action seems harder and harder. Procrastination isn't just about weight – it reveals our deeper doubts about our ability to transform our lives. One way to make our goals feel more tangible and achievable is by seeking support from people who understand and share the same challenges and aspirations. In pulling on the strength that comes from that kind of togetherness we create something powerful – a supportive accountability network that transforms our personal intentions into collective motivation."
In a separate study of more than 7,000 new Slimming World members last January, which has been released this New Year, more than two-thirds said that before going to a Slimming World group, they didn’t dare dream they could lose weight and stay slim (69 per cent).4 Many of these members had put off losing weight, some for over a decade. However, in just one session, almost every new member left filled with self-belief, self-confidence and self-determination. This switch came from learning more about Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, seeing the success of other members, and experiencing the empowering support to help them overcome their personal barriers. They left feeling that they could lose weight and keep it off (96 per cent) and motivated to make changes to their lifestyle to lose weight (97 per cent).
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With over a decade of expertise in neurogastroenterology and cardiovascular pharmacology from leading institutions including the University of Sheffield and the University of Nottingham, Dr Jemma Donovan PhD, Slimming World’s Research Manager, says: “This January, those feelings of doubt, fear and hopelessness could easily lead people to look to weight loss drugs as a silver bullet. However, unless they get effective support to make lasting changes to their eating and activity habits, they’re very likely to regain the weight once they stop the medication, and they’re far less likely to experience the sense of personal achievement and the increased self-worth that comes with knowing you’re in control in the long term. We also know the costs are high – potentially painful and expensive weekly injections, with possible side-effects of diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, vomiting and more. Furthermore, the long-term safety of the regulated drugs is still unknown.”
There’s concern about weight loss medication among the public, too. The survey of UK adults revealed almost half (48 per cent) would not consider using medication or weight loss drugs if they were looking to lose weight, compared to less than a third (30 per cent) who would. Worrying about potential side effects was a deterrent for 32 per cent of respondents; 23 per cent say they don’t know what they’d be putting into their body; 21 per cent don’t think there’s enough evidence on the long-term effects; and 19 per cent fear it wouldn’t be a long-term solution.
In its manifesto, Slimming World calls on the government to support people living with obesity to lose weight with a personalised approach. GLP-1 weight loss medications may work in the short term, but medicalising a problem – one that experts and government know requires a change of diet alongside physical activity and behavioural support to ensure long-term success – is not the answer. Slimming World believes it is essential that full consideration is given to people who cannot, or do not wish to, take the drugs in 2025 and that effective and evidence-based wraparound support – comprising diet, physical activity, and behaviour change strategies – must be in place for people using weight-loss drugs.
1. Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: Unhealthy Numbers: The Rising Cost of Obesity in the UK
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26696565/
3. The research was conducted by Censuswide, with 2000 Nat Rep Respondents (aged 18+) in the UK between 22.11.2024 - 26.11.2024. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.
4. Between 2nd and 31st January 2024, 7,106 Slimming World members who joined their local group that week completed an online survey asking for their feedback about their experience.
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