Obesity is now such a problem in the UK that one leading expert describes it as a pandemic – with patients presenting younger and bigger than ever before.
A new eye-opening Channel 4 TV show called Around The World In 80 Weighs, looks at the problem as it follows six people from across Britain, who are each living with obesity. They travel the globe and find out why obesity rates are increasing, discover the potential implications on their health if they can’t tackle their own challenges, and meet people in each country who may be able to help them achieve their personal weight-loss goals.
Take a Break speaks to Marissa, 31, who lives in Kent with her husband Russell, 36. The couple used the show to help turn their life around. Marissa says, ‘My husband and I were desperate to lose weight but had tried everything without success. When we saw an advert to apply for a weight loss show, we jumped at the opportunity and were thrilled when we were chosen. We haven’t looked back! I’ve lost 5st and have never felt better.
‘My weight problems started when I was at primary school. I was bullied and sought comfort in food. If anything bad happened, I’d eat, and it snowballed. It was my comfort but also my hell too.
change of mindset
‘I met Russell when we were at school, but we didn’t get together until eight years ago. We got married in September 2021 and Russell had always said how much he wanted a family. His dad died at 56, when Russell was just 19. He had type two diabetes and collapsed while working at the pub he ran. Russell worried that if we didn’t change our ways, he’d die early too.
‘We both want children, but I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease in 2019 which makes it difficult to lose weight. And it also affects my fertility and increases my chances of miscarriage. I wanted to lose weight to give my body the best chance possible.
'We were addicted to food. We’d eat well during the week but then binge at the weekend, undoing all our good work. We’d have a takeaway and go to the pub, where I’d drink lager and cocktails. Crisps were my weakness too. We tried every diet going but with no success. Plus, we knew we needed to change our mindset, it wasn’t just about losing weight.
‘When we saw an advert for people to apply for Around The World In 80 Weighs, it seemed perfect for us – plus we got to travel to amazing places! We were thrilled when we were accepted. We were the heaviest of the contestants which was a bit daunting, but we just had to focus on our own journey.
“We flew to Japan, Tonga, America and India and in each country we had two hosts: one who showed us the traditional way of eating in their country, and the other who introduced us to current trends around weight and health.
‘The Japanese eat on average 300 calories less than your average Brit, and Japan is one of the healthiest countries in the world – only four per cent are obese. We learnt how to eat with chopsticks (which definitely makes you eat less and slower!) and learnt how they eat round the plate. So instead of leaving your favourite thing until last, eat a bit of everything and that means you won’t eat until you are so full you’re uncomfortable.
‘It was an amazing experience and I loved the USA too as it taught me exercise doesn’t have to be boring. You don’t have to go to a gym – any kind of movement is important. Now I go for long walks and put my favourite tunes on and clean the house until I get a sweat on!
‘At the start of the show, I was 29st 1lb and at the end, after six weeks away, I weighed 27st 8lb. Back at home I carried on applying everything I’d learnt to my day-to-day life and I now weigh 26st 5lb. Russell has lost weight too – it’s really changed our lives.
‘We’re heading into 2024 positive and hope it could be the year we become parents. We’ve struggled with our size for a long time, but now we’re making permanent healthy changes, physically and mentally.’
Around The World In 80 Weighs airs on Tuesday 16 January, 9pm, Channel 4 and is available on catch up