This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7176836.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brits 'now a nation of dieters' Third of adults 'always dieting'
(about 5 hours later)
One in three adults in the UK is now on a permanent diet, research suggests. One in three adults in the UK is now on a permanent diet, a survey suggests.
A poll of 2,000 people for supermarket giant Tesco found the over-55s were most likely to go on a diet at some stage every month.A poll of 2,000 people for supermarket giant Tesco found the over-55s were most likely to go on a diet at some stage every month.
Among this group, 15% try to restrict their calorie intake every day - double the number of any other age group.Among this group, 15% try to restrict their calorie intake every day - double the number of any other age group.
Experts have warned that 60% of adults will be overweight by the year 2050 if action is not taken to tackle rising rates of obesity.Experts have warned that 60% of adults will be overweight by the year 2050 if action is not taken to tackle rising rates of obesity.
What is needed is developing a plan for a long-term, healthy lifestyle, substituting good habits for bad, and setting goals that can be realistically achieved Donna DawsonPsychologistWhat is needed is developing a plan for a long-term, healthy lifestyle, substituting good habits for bad, and setting goals that can be realistically achieved Donna DawsonPsychologist
Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, has warned that obesity poses a potential crisis on the same scale as climate change.Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, has warned that obesity poses a potential crisis on the same scale as climate change.
Government experts have calculated that 70,000 lives could be saved if Britons followed simple healthy eating guidelines.Government experts have calculated that 70,000 lives could be saved if Britons followed simple healthy eating guidelines.
However, research has suggested that "yo-yo" diets are ineffective, and may actually carry a risk of weight gain in the longer term.However, research has suggested that "yo-yo" diets are ineffective, and may actually carry a risk of weight gain in the longer term.
The latest survey found that 15% of adults spend between 30 minutes and an hour each day worrying about their weight.The latest survey found that 15% of adults spend between 30 minutes and an hour each day worrying about their weight.
More than one in 20 women admitted to fretting about their figures for more than three hours a day.More than one in 20 women admitted to fretting about their figures for more than three hours a day.
Feeling goodFeeling good
Self-confidence was one of the main reasons respondents gave for watching what they eat.Self-confidence was one of the main reasons respondents gave for watching what they eat.
Six out of 10 women and more than four out of 10 (44%) men said they hoped that losing weight would help them feel better about themselves.Six out of 10 women and more than four out of 10 (44%) men said they hoped that losing weight would help them feel better about themselves.
One in five respondents were trying to lose weight to improve their love lives.One in five respondents were trying to lose weight to improve their love lives.
Another reason given for losing weight was to look more like celebrities, attractive friends or colleagues.Another reason given for losing weight was to look more like celebrities, attractive friends or colleagues.
Psychologist Donna Dawson said: "Men and women in the UK have a strong desire to feel better about themselves, and one of the ways they believe they can achieve this is through dieting and losing weight.Psychologist Donna Dawson said: "Men and women in the UK have a strong desire to feel better about themselves, and one of the ways they believe they can achieve this is through dieting and losing weight.
"However, it is important to understand that constant, yo-yo dieting which is doomed to failure will only work to undermine self-confidence."However, it is important to understand that constant, yo-yo dieting which is doomed to failure will only work to undermine self-confidence.
"What is needed is developing a plan for a long-term, healthy lifestyle, substituting good habits for bad, and setting goals that can be realistically achieved.""What is needed is developing a plan for a long-term, healthy lifestyle, substituting good habits for bad, and setting goals that can be realistically achieved."
Dr Ian Campbell, medical director of the charity Weight Concern, said he was not surprised by the findings.Dr Ian Campbell, medical director of the charity Weight Concern, said he was not surprised by the findings.
"I think it's important that we do take our weight seriously, and monitor our food intake and activity levels regularly."I think it's important that we do take our weight seriously, and monitor our food intake and activity levels regularly.
"Two thirds of us are already overweight. However we need to move away from the concept of "dieting" towards one of "healthy diet"."Two thirds of us are already overweight. However we need to move away from the concept of "dieting" towards one of "healthy diet".
"The best thing the supermarkets could do to help this would be to place their focus on healthy food choices.""The best thing the supermarkets could do to help this would be to place their focus on healthy food choices."