One in 10 'would starve to lose weight'
|Published
When you consume less energy than you expend, your body taps into that stored fat. When you consume less energy than you expend, your body taps into that stored fat.
Belfast - One in 10 people would starve themselves to lose weight, rising to one in five of those aged 18 to 21, according to a new poll.
The survey of 3,000 people also found one in 20 would consider surgery, such as a gastric band, to shed the pounds.
Dieting was the preferred option for losing weight (48 percent of people said it was their first choice) and 11 percent would join weight-loss clubs. About three percent of people opt first for a celebrity fitness routine while two percent say they follow a specific diet.
Overall, eight percent of people started to worry about their weight between the ages of three and 13, while 31 percent said they were aged 14 to 20. A fifth began worrying when they were 21 to 30, while 10 percent were in their 30s.
Asked for the most important reasons for wanting to lose weight, 47 percent said to feel better about themselves, 50 percent said to get fit and 42 percent said because of health concerns.
Catherine Cox, primary care services manager at The Co-operative Pharmacy, which commissioned the survey, said: “These are distressing findings as although the majority of people wanting to lose weight look at sensible options, there are a number who are putting their health at risk by not eating.” - Belfast Telegraph