Politicians and health experts discuss obesity at Policy Workshop

More than 50 MPs and peers from across the political divide joined health professionals and industry experts at Slimming World's inaugural Policy Workshop & Parliamentary Reception last month. 

Sponsored by Virendra Sharma MP, the Policy Workshop brought together politicians and health experts for three roundtable discussions on maternal obesity, men's health and alcohol and weight. 

The event was followed by a Parliamentary Reception, hosted by The Baroness Benjamin OBE, Chair of the Fit and Healthy Childhood APPG. Guests also heard from successful Slimming World members, Thomas Munnelly, aged 17, who lost 3st and Man of the Year, Danny Crosby, who lost 8st.

Effectiveness of Slimming World for people with diabetes

Research exploring the impact attending Slimming World has on diabetes management, medication usage and weight control has recently been published in the journal Practice Nursing. The survey of 620 members with diabetes (88% with type 2 diabetes) showed that support from Slimming World resulted in clinically significant weight losses, improvements in blood glucose control, and reductions in diabetes medication.

At the time of survey, on average, participants had lost 10% of their body weight and had been members for 12 months. Members with type 1 and type 2 diabetes showed similar weight losses. Some members were able to report blood test results, which showed improvements in blood glucose control over this time. Where data was provided, the number of members reporting an HbA1c of less than 48mmol/mol increased from 16.4% at joining to 51.5% at the time of survey. Physical activity levels were explored too, with 72% of respondents reporting increases in physical activity since joining.

Recognising our Top Target Consultant

Slimming World Consultant, Jodie Rigby-Mee, from Royal Leamington Spa is celebrating after losing 6st and maintaining that loss for 11 years, winning her the Top Target Consultant 2017 title in March.

Originally joining Slimming World as a group member in 2002, Jodie developed healthier eating habits and gradually became more active. She reached her target weight in December 2005 and has maintained her weight ever since. Keen to help other people reach their weight loss goals too, Jodie became a Slimming World Consultant in 2014 and has also continued attending as a member herself, accessing ongoing support to sustain her healthy lifestyle habits and weight loss. The Top Target Consultant is one of Slimming World's competitions to celebrate the most under-recognised achievement in weight management : losing weight and keeping it off. 

Jodie credits her long-term success to the fact she can enjoy all the same meals as her family, the confidence she gained to become more active - she now loves running and going to the gym - and the support of her Slimming World group, which she still attends every week as a member. 

Small change donations generate 25k for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity

Slimming World's members and Consultants have raised £25,000 in just three months for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. The money will go towards the essential refurbishment and redevelopment of the hospital's new cardiac ward.

Slimming World donates 10p from the sale of every recipe book, and its members are invited to drop small change from their weekly 4.95 group membership payment into Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity-branded donation boxes. 

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity is a new partner for Slimming World in 2017 and, this year, members, Consultants and head office staff are raising money to support the hospital, as well as continuing to support Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society.