Breaking the chain

Childhood obesity: Too much too young?

THE UK is sitting on a childhood obesity time bomb.

Our youngsters are now heavier than they have ever been and are putting on weight at an earlier age – before they even start school.

Not only are our children more likely to die younger through conditions linked with obesity, they are also falling ill younger, with 1,400 children in the UK already known to have been diagnosed with lifestyle-related type two diabetes.

Overweight children are more likely to become overweight or obese adults and face increased risks of diabetes, cancer, heart disease and stroke. They’re also prone to developing psychological problems including depression and low self-esteem, and face bullying.

According to recent research from the Earlybird Diabetes Study published in the Pediatrics Journal, one in four children aged four to five in England is now overweight.

And the government has forecast that by 2050, 60% of men and 50% of women could be obese.

One step beyond: The treadmill and me

HERE I go. It’s treadmill time – 7am.
It can seem far too much like hard work. That’s just the bending over to put my towel down as this expensive piece of kit has nowhere to put it.
The gym is quite quiet at this time in the morning. I lower my head to avert the gaze of the body builders and lycra-clad, super-fit, women who have also hauled their arses (or what there is of them) here as I step on. OK Go, I aint.

Why 'chaotic' eaters struggle to maintain weight loss -and some top tips from a nutritionist

“I SHED six stone, just look at me now!” scream the headlines and we admire how a champion slimmer conquered a lifetime of overeating to reach their target weight.
But revisit even the most successful dieter’s story later and often some or all of the pounds have piled back on.
Once you have lost weight – whether it’s a little or a lot - it is all too easy to be lulled into a false sense of security. You may believe you can now eat what you want, when you want.
But you can’t. It’s not that easy.
Psychologist Dr Mike Green, from Aston University, says that changing your eating habits to allow for long-term weight loss means a “massive” shift in behaviour over a prolonged period of time.
He says that often people who have had a more ‘chaotic’ rather than ‘routine’ approach to eating can struggle to achieve or maintain weight loss.

Avoiding those 'what the hell?' moments when you're trying to lose weight

IT'S the moment every wannabe slimmer dreads – your mates are heading to the takeaway after a night on the town, or your colleagues are handing out the cakes for an office birthday.
What do you do? You don’t want to look like a killjoy but you don’t want to jeopardise your success so far either.
No matter how hard you try to inch towards your goal, there are always ‘danger zones’ to be navigated along the way.
Anyone can be tripped up or at least tempted. Help yourself by planning ahead to stay realistic, and choose wisely…or make your excuses and leave!
Tiredness, stress and children’s leftovers can also be weight loss campaign wreckers. That’s before you have a drink or two and the thought of a fat-drenched snack seems more appealing.
A little indulgence is fine, says nutritionist Lyndel Costain. But you should make sure these ‘danger zones’ don’t become the norm. Be realistic and kind to yourself.

The purr-fect revenge on a nasty husband?

YOU often read about men who taunt their partners about how much weight they've put on. Don't you?

They say the women have "let themself go" - because obviously running after everyone they do in the day, leaves them plenty of time to faff about with nail varnish and fancy underwear.

One woman I wrote about, took drastic action when she got fed up of her husband's insults.

She cooked him a cat food pie, put a chilli in his y-fronts, oh and laxative in his tea.

An insight into the life of a sub z-lister: Remembering my failed diet column

"OOH, it's you, it's really you!" A woman screeched as I started my way through the checkout.

"Eh?" I replied, more confused than the time Carol answered the phone and said: "Come in."

"You're that journalist lady, aren't you? The one who used to write about eating every week in the Express & Star."

"Yes," I smiled. "You've made my day." Hey, this is what it must feel like to be Myleene Klass, I thought as I grabbed the Economy apple juice from my trolley.