Losing 5% of body weight has 'significant health benefits'

People using assisted living who want to lose weight to lessen their chance of developing obesity-related illnesses should set themselves realistic goals.

Zoe Hellman, head of dietetics and health policy at Weight Watchers, said that losing just between five and ten per cent of weight has been seen to produce clinically significant health benefits.

She explained that this means the first goal needs to be losing five per cent of their starting rate, rather than achieving drastic weight loss.

"I think not many people out there understand that losing between five and ten per cent of your weight can have a significant benefit in terms of reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke," continued Ms Hellman.

Research published in the Lancet revealed that individuals referred to a commercial weight loss programme such as Weight Watchers lost around twice as much weight as those receiving standard care over a year.

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