Northampton slimmers challenge men to match hippo-sized weight loss

Weight Loss Coach, Fiona Campion, who runs the eight meetings taking part in the challenge, said, that the number of men currently attending her Northampton groups is currently only ten per cent of the members.

Fiona, has challenged the men of Northampton to take more of an interest in their health.

She said: “It’s not just about weight loss, it’s about looking after your mental and physical well-being, which has a direct effect on how we eat.

“Most working men must cope with a very stressful and demanding environment at work, especially office work where there can be little or no physical activity.

Obesity is prevalent among British men with 22.1 per cent being obese – the second highest in the world after Malta.

“And the proportion of obese men is predicted to rise to 36 per cent by 2030.

“Inactivity and stressful lives can easily result in extra pounds piling on and if the balance isn’t readjusted, can lead to problems later in life.”

Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England said: “Obesity is the new smoking.

“It’s a slow-motion car crash in terms of avoidable illness and rising healthcare costs.”

Fiona added: “If us ladies can lose the equivalent of a large male hippo in six months, then we are sure that the wider male population in Northampton can too.”

Being overweight or obese increases the occurrence of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

To tackle obesity, a previous government-funded report has suggested a system-wide approach that would address everything from the promotion of healthy diets to redesigning the environment to encourage walking.