Help on Losing Weight Healthily

A new website to help people to lose weight without yo-yo dieting was launched last week by Safefood and the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute.

The Weigh2Live website has been developed by experts across public health and nutrition to provide practical tips and advice on losing weight. The website includes a food diary, interactive BMI calculator and waist circumference assessment as well as tips and advice on healthy eating, eating out, food shopping, understanding food portions, and healthy recipes.

New research carried out by Safefood reveals that nearly half of us think we are overweight and 60% of us have tried to lose weight in the past year.

The survey results showed that the main motives for trying to lose weight were: to feel better about ourselves (67%); improve our figure (62%); and to have more energy (48%).

The main reasons for not sticking to a diet were: holidays (21%); boredom or not seeing any results (18%); and not having time to cook healthy food or to exercise (17%).

“Research shows that people want to achieve a healthy weight, but quick-fix fad diets are well recognised as ineffective, and we know many people ‘yo-yo’ diet and end up regaining the weight they lost or even becoming heavier. Small, gradual changes to eating habits and activity levels are the most realistic and achievable way to lose weight,” commented Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, Director, Human Health and Nutrition, Safefood.

Margot Brennan, PRO, Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute said the website aims to appreciate that people live busy lives and that they may need advice on shopping for healthy food and eating out. “The Weigh2live resource allows people to continue enjoying eating occasions by making sensible changes to the way they enjoy food. People slip up from time to time, so we provide tips for people who have lapsed so that they can continue towards their weight loss goal,” she said.

The launch of the Weigh2Live website coincides with the release of the results of the 2007 National Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLAN survey) published last week which showed that 2 in 3 adults in Ireland are overweight or obese.

For more information visit the Weigh2Live website, www.weigh2live.eu or call the Safefood helpline on 1850 404 567.

Posted Tuesday 6th May 2008