It is a testament to her desire to live a manageable life without the need for medication or the fear of a declined health and indeed the high possibility of death from COVID.

She did this through sheer hard work, determination, and perseverance.

But why change?

Why bother?

Because being overweight is a threat to your life and is overwhelming the NHS which is already struggling with the only thing the country and world ever talks about, COVID but we can protect from changing lifestyles too.

Obesity costs the NHS £4.2 billion a year and without urgent and radical action, this will rise to £10 billion a year by 2050.

Obesity is associated with reduced life expectancy. It is a risk factor for a range of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, at least 12 kinds of cancer, liver and respiratory disease, and obesity can impact mental health.

Our country’s rates of obesity are storing up future problems for individuals and our NHS. But worryingly, there is now consistent evidence that people who are overweight or living with obesity who contract coronavirus (COVID-19) are more likely to be admitted to hospital, to an intensive care unit, and, sadly to die from COVID-19 compared to those of a healthy body weight status.

Obesity has become an immediate concern for anyone who is overweight and for our health and care services. In the year 2019, there were 876,000 hospital admissions where obesity was a factor – an increase of 23% on the previous period.

The report, Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet, England (2020), also found the majority of adults were overweight or obese. This figure stood at 67% for men and 60% for women – while 20% of Year 6 children were classed as obese.

ACTION NATIONWIDE IS REQUIRED AND WE MUST STOP WITH ALLOWING THIS TO BE BRUSHED UNDER THE CARPET AND IGNORED.