The survey from FITNESS magazine and Yahoo! asked 1,500 men and women to reveal all about how they feel when naked. It found that women are more likely than men to have issues with their body.

However, only 48 per cent of men said they were happy when looking in the mirror, while 57 per cent of women said they think they look fat.

Thighs were the most hated body part of women, while cleavage was the part they most liked to flaunt.

If you suffer from low self-esteem, The Hospital Group offers weight loss surgery as well cosmetic surgery such as liposuction or a breast enlargement for better cleavage.

The survey of 400 men, carried out by the University of the West of England’s Centre for Appearance Research in Bristol, revealed that the biggest worries for men were beer bellies, a lack of muscle and male breasts.

Other statistics to come out of the research showed that 59 per cent of men felt personally affected by ‘body talk’, and nearly one in five men said they felt fat every single day.

“This research really demonstrates that body image is an issue for everyone, although in men, especially middle-aged men, it has been woefully under-reported,” said Dr Phillippa Diedrichs, of UWE.

If you suffer from low self-esteem, The Hospital Group offers a wide range of male cosmetic surgery, including weight loss surgery and male breast reduction.

• ●        How fast do I want to lose weight?
• ●        Do I want a permanent procedure or a reversible operation?
• ●        How invasive is the procedure?
• ●        What risks are involved?

The most common types of weight loss procedures performed in the UK are the gastric band, the gastric bypass, and the gastric balloon. If you’re wondering which one would be right for you, this guide can help.

Gastric Band

Not as invasive as a gastric bypass but more long-term than the gastric balloon, gastric band surgery (also known as ‘lap band’ surgery) is probably the most common form of weight loss surgery. In this operation, a band is applied to the top of the stomach to create a small pouch for collecting food. The band essentially slows the flow of food through the stomach, which creates the sensation of being full more quickly. Many patients choose lap band surgery because the band is adjustable, which means that they can customise the fit to achieve the recommended results. Patients with a gastric band can usually expect to lose about half of their excess weight within two years.

You should consider gastric band surgery if: you have a BMI of 30 or more, Type 2 diabetes, joint or muscle pain, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, or chronic digestive problems.

Gastric Balloon

As the least invasive option for weight loss patients, a gastric balloon requires no surgery. In this procedure, a balloon fashioned from silicone is introduced to the stomach and then inflated by adding a saline solution. The balloon takes up much of the space in the stomach so that when a person eats, he or she is able to feel full faster.

The gastric balloon is usually considered the first step in a long-term weight loss programme, so it is only used for six months. The primary advantage of this method is that it helps patients learn healthier eating habits and portion control without the risks of surgery. Patients can expect to lose a maximum of three stone during the time that the gastric balloon is in place.

You should consider a gastric balloon procedure if: you have a BMI of 28 to 30 and are looking for a way to begin a successful weight loss regime.

Gastric Bypass

In terms of weight loss methods assisted by medical intervention, gastric bypass surgery is the most complicated but promises the most dramatic results. A gastric bypass procedure occurs in two steps. First, the stomach is reshaped, either by stapling together the walls to create a small pouch at the top of the stomach or by removing a piece of it altogether. Then, a piece of the small intestine is connected to the newly reformed stomach. The purpose of this procedure is two-fold. It creates a smaller stomach so that the patient will eat less, and it also bypasses a portion of the small intestine to ensure that fewer calories are taken into the digestive system.

This surgery usually warrants a post-operation hospital stay of two to four days. Patients can expect to lose up to 80 per cent of excessive weight within two years of the surgery. Other benefits include eradication of Type II Diabetes, muscle and joint pain, and sleep apnoea. Risk factors for chronic and fatal diseases alike also drop after surgery.

You should consider gastric bypass surgery if: you have a BMI of 40 to 60.

 The report Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet: England 2011, reveals in 2009 nearly a quarter of adults (24% of women and 22% of men older than 16) met the obese benchmark, recording a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or over. If the incidence of obesity continues at the same rates by 2025 it is estimated 47% of men and 36% of women will be obese.

 A substantial contributing factor among the evidence for the alarming obesity epidemic – food.  Trends in purchases and consumption of foods, drinks and enegy intake revealed individuals are eating less saturated fats, trans fat and added sugars than they were 10 years ago. Currently 12.5 % instead of the recommend 11%  of food energy intake is attributed to added sugars. Compared to 2006, in 2009 an 8.5 decrease was indicated in the purchase of household fruits and vegetables.   Purchases of fresh fruit fell by 3.9% between 2008 and 2009 while green vegetables fell by just over 1 %.Higher proportions of women (78%) than men (62%) accurately noted five portions of fruit and vegetables are required for daily consumption.  However among the key findings, intake of dietary fibre an essential part of healthy digestion, the report indicated on average adults are consuming only 14g per day, much lower than the suggested 18g per day. 

The survey reports adults should receive a sufficient amount of moderate activity which among others included cycling, gardening and walking. This activity equated to 30 minutes during  one session or 10 minutes within multiple sessions on 5 or more days during the week.  Yet only 32% of men (2.2 million)  and 19% of women (1.3 million) classified as obese met these recommendations, out of a total of nearly 7 million adults. Among men the most common activities reported outside of work included sports and exercise and heavy housework rated the highest among women.

In the survey, the standard and most widely accepted measure for obesity, BMI, revealed several health risks correlated to incidences of obesity. BMI, which allows for variances in height, does not distinguish between mass from body fat, fat distribution and muscle. Therefore in conjunction with BMI, increases in waist circumference were used as an additional measure to further identify the increased risk of disease when linked to obesity.  For example hypertension was significantly higher in obese individuals, 48% of men and 46% of women compared only 17% of both men and women in the normal weight range.

 Measurements of increased risk were also determined using both BMI and waist circumference. In 2009, an estimated 19% of men were estimated to be at increased risk; 14% at high risk and 20% at very high risk. For women these figures remained nearly identical: 14% at increased risk, 18% at high risk and 23% at very high risk.

Obesity increases the risk of developing a number of non-communicable disease including associations to chronic disease such as coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidaemia, also major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular related mortality. Men and women who were obese were also more likely to report a non-limiting older illness than men and women within the normal weight range.

The survey also reports over twice the amount of females with a primary diagnosis of obesity than males were admitted to hospitals between 1999 through 2009.  The age groups with the highest admissions of diagnosed obesity were adults middle age, aged 35 to 44 and older adults, aged 45 to 54.

Attributed to an individual’s biology (E.G metabolism and genetics) and behavioral patterns (physical activity and eating habits), obesity results from imbalances in energy.  The energy not expended is converted into fat within the body leading to excess weight.  For obese individuals this can have a severe impact on health leading to increased risks including cardiovascular and liver disease.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the following cancers are among the most serious health risks facing obese individuals:

• ·          Type-2 diabetes
• ·          Cancers (breast, endometrial and colon)
• ·          Coronary heart disease
• ·          Hypertension
• ·          Liver and gallbladder disease
• ·          Osteoarthritis
• ·          Stroke
• ·          Respiratory problems  (sleep apnea and asthma)
• ·          Reproductive and urological problems (abnormal period, infertility)

Within the next 20 years, experts estimate over one million additional cases in the UK will be attributed to type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer considered to be leading health risks linked to obesity.

Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes

A progressive condition, type-2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.   Most cases of type-2 diabetes are linked to being overweight or obese.  Caused by a high blood glucose level, type 2 diabetes results from the body´s inability to produce insulin in response to glucose. Without production of insulin due to glucose stimulation this leads to impairments in skeletal muscle and damage to organs of the eyes, kidneys, nervous and circulatory system.

The increased dangers associated with this disease include blindness, heart disease, stroke and premature death. However, risk can be alleviated by weight loss, physical activity, a healthy diet and getting adequate sleep.  In a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, individuals that lost between 5 and 7 per cent of their body weight in conjunction with moderate physical activity 5 days a week, delayed or prevented the risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

Obesity and Heart Disease

The dangers of excess weight can impair heart health. For obese individuals these risks increase substantially developing in forms of heart disease such as angina, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. Restricted to disease of the heart and blood vessel systems within, the risk of heart disease is higher in obese individuals because the heart must work hard to pump blood throughout the body. This leads to strain on the heart. When exertion is applied the strain on the heart is doubled leading to a higher heart rate.  The risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest is increased because essentially the heart is overworked. 

There are additional factors that should be considered in the prevention of heart disease including genetics, learned behaviors and familial inheritance in connection with lifestyle, which all contribute to helping to lower the risk of heart disease.

Obesity and Cancer

In the UK an estimated 19,000 new cases of cancer are linked to being overweight and obese.     Experts suggest the increased risk of developing some forms of cancer are linked to the location of organ sites including the breast, colon, esophagus and kidney.  However, the link between cancer and obesity isn´t universal – only certain cancers are attributed to obesity and include among others:

• ·               Cervical cnacer
• ·               Kidney cancer
• ·               Liver cancer
• ·               Pancreatic cancer
• ·               Stomach cancer
• ·               Ovarian cancer
• ·               Non-Hodjkin lymphoma

Although the relationship between cancer and obesity remains inconclusive, losing weight may help lower the risk of developing related cancers, in addition to increasing other health benefits.

To learn more about Weight Loss Surgery click here.

 According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the following BMI classification system categorizes an adult with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 as overweight while a BMI of 30 or greater is classified as obese:

Although BMI is not considered an accurate method to determine body fat, it is a useful tool to assess whether a person is underweight, overweight or obese. Once BMI is determined, it can be interpreted for adults using standard categories of weight, age and sex.

 Yet individuals should note that BMI is not a direct measurement of body fatness and calculations are based on individual weight which includes muscle as well as fat. Research has shown BMI does not measure body fat directly but correlates to direct measures of body fat including underwater weighing, isotope dilution and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).  Because these methods are highly expensive, difficult to standardize and require trained personnel they are not widely used.

Obesity and BMI

Inexpensive and easy to determine for healthcare professionals and the general public, calculating BMI is considered one of the most efficient methods in assessing obesity.  Using BMI allows individuals to compare their own weight to the general population.

Screening for BMI

A reasonable indicator of excess body weight, BMI values are often used as a screening tool because they are age-independent and the same for men and women.  Despite these factors, in different populations BMI may not correspond to similar degrees of weight due to differences in bodily proportions.

A helpful screening tool to identify weight issues in adults, BMI is not considered a diagnostic tool.  For example, an individual with a high BMI would need to have further health assessments to determine if excess weight is a risk. These additional assessments may include amount of physical activity, skinfold thickness measurements (using callipers), nutrition levels and family history.

Waist Circumference and BMI

Assessing BMI is only one factor related to increased health risks.  To determine the possibility of obesity related disease, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends measuring waist circumference with a BMI of less thatn 35kg/ m² to determine associated risks of disease. 

Shown to have a positive correlation to disease risk, waist circumference is one of the most practical measurements to assess an individual´s abdominal or “central” fat distribution.  Central obesity is linked to higher risks of disease including type-2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. 

Health Risks and BMI

Correlating the relationship between body weight, disease and death, BMI helps assess an overweight or obese individual´s risk of acquiring certain health conditions or diseases, such as:

• ·         Hypertension
• ·         Liver and gallbladder disease
• ·         Type-2 diabetes
• ·         Cardiovascular disease
• ·         Some cancers (endometrial, colon and breast)
• ·         Stroke
• ·         Osteoarthritis
• ·         Respiratory problems
• ·         Dyslipidemia (high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high triglyceride levels)

The higher your BMI, your risk increases for non-communicable diseases such as those above.  However, losing as little as 5 pounds can help decrease the risk of developing obesity related diseases.  Although useful for determining several health risks BMI does have its limits including overestimating muscular body types typical of athletes or underestimating body fat  common among the elderly or individuals who have lost muscle.

About this recipe:

You’ll love the tangy addition of dried cranberries and the filling portion of warm chicken, but as the centrepiece of this salad mix, spinach steals the show. One cup of the stuff is a little less than ten calories, but packs in a long list of nutrients like vitamins A and K, as well as magnesium and zinc. This deep green, leafy vegetable also offers high fibre, which can help you achieve digestive regularity. As an extra benefit, spinach releases flavonoids into the body, cancer fighting agents that do the dirty work of binding up free radicals so that they don’t wreak havoc on your cells.

If you’re searching for heart health, spinach has you covered. Not only does it offer the power to fight off unwanted radicals but it also fills you up with vital minerals like folate and magnesium, which play important roles in stabilising your blood pressure and keeping the heart from working too hard.

Warm sliced chicken breast sounds delicious, but it’s nutritious as well. The trick to reaping the benefits of this source of protein is to pick out lean, white meat, which is most commonly found in chicken breast. Remember to peel the skin off before cooking since it is a highly-concentrated source of animal fat.

The protein in chicken will help you feel satisfied sooner in your meal, so it’s a great way to control appetite. It also helps in slowing bone density loss, a major concern as you age. Not to be outdone by your spinach, the chicken breast in your salad also displays some cancer-preventing power of its own; niacin, a B group vitamin, can help ward off genetic discrepancies that render cells cancerous. The small amounts of selenium found in chicken also help with cellular reproduction. The other B vitamins that are found in lean chicken meat will keep your metabolism high while your appetite remains under control.

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

½ pound spinach

½ cup dried cranberries

¼ cup almond slivers

1 tablespoon sesame seeds, oven-toasted

1 dash of paprika

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons white sugar

Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:

While heating a bit of olive in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, rinse and tenderise your chicken breasts with a meat pounder or rolling pin. Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken, and then sauté. Once the chicken is cooked thoroughly, remove from heat. Let it cool before slicing.

For the dressing, combine the rest of your olive oil in a bowl with paprika, white wine vinegar, sugar, olive oil and sesame seeds. Whisk until blended.

Prepare your salad by combining rinsed and torn spinach in a bowl with almond slivers and dried cranberries. Add salad dressing, toss and top with warm chicken slices.

This recipe makes four servings.

In the first few days following your gastric balloon procedure, your doctor will likely prescribe you to consume only liquids, such as clear fluids and light drinks. One of the ways you can ensure that you don’t cut back on the nutrients that your body needs during this time is by preparing a healthful drink with fruits and vegetables that your body needs to continue to function normally. Protein is especially important to consume during this time to make sure that your lean body mass doesn’t dwindle away.

About this recipe:

Help kick start your new lifestyle change with a delicious smoothie recipe that will make sure you can eat lean while losing fat. Smoothies, when prepared correctly, can help you cut back on your calorie intake and portion size. This recipe brings together the juicy sweetness of mango with the creaminess of avocado in a blend that is sure to go down easy.

As the main attraction of this recipe, mango is a refreshing fruit packed with lots of flavour. Not only does it taste good but it is also good for you. Having a mango smoothie is a great way to pack in nutrients while you stomach adjusts to a low-density diet. To begin, mango is a great source of vitamins C and E, and it also packs some disease fighting nutrients, such as amino acids, calcium, potassium and flavanoids. Also, if you are a patient with diabetes, mango is a natural way to stabilise blood sugar levels.

The avocado in this smoothie can actually be a step towards better heart health. This plant once caught a lot of flack for being a fatty food, but research shows that avocados are high in high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, which is known in health food circles as the good kind of fat. At the same time, it also reduces levels of low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, which is the fat that raises cholesterol in the blood. These patterns are dominant in the blood profiles of people with the lowest risks of heart disease.

A low fat or non fat yogurt can also become a building block of your new, healthy diet. Yogurt is high in calcium and protein, and it also contains valuable “good” bacteria that aid in digestion and your body’s immune response. The wonders that yogurt can do for your body abound, such as helping to lower cholesterol and aiding in weight loss. But be careful when choosing yogurt for your smoothie; you should avoid brands that contain sugary fruit preservatives, additives and artificial colours.

Ingredients:

¼ cup chopped mango

¼ low fat plain yogurt

1 tablespoon pressed avocado (ripe)

¼ cup mango juice

1 teaspoon lime juice, freshly squeezed

ice cubes

Preparation:

Bring together all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until you reach the desired consistency. Because your stomach may not be able to process very much food at one time, it is a good idea to drink half immediately and save half for later.

One of the points your doctor will probably reiterate in your post-procedure consultation is the importance of protein in your new diet. While you want to shed fat, you will want to hold on to any lean body mass that you have acquired, and protein will help you do this. It is also a great way to learn portion control; protein helps you feel full without consuming all those simple sugars and carbohydrates. For this reason, you should approach your meal plan keeping in mind that you need a healthy dose of protein each day. Eating several different kinds of lentils can help you do this.

About this recipe:

Featuring a selection of protein-packing lentils, this recipe is a tasty way to add variety to your meal plan when the doctor recommends eating soft foods only. You may even be able to modify it using a food processor to make a puree for consumption during the liquids-only phase of your diet. (However, you should consult your doctor before doing this.) Lentils are soft, plump seeds found in pods, which means that you can benefit from all of the nutrients stored inside. In addition to their nutritional value, they are also a great vehicle for flavours, which means that they will convey any spices and ingredients you cook along with them.

Beans are also an excellent source of soluble fibre. This kind of fibre helps your body break down fats and regulates the release of energy into the blood stream, so it’s not only great for weight loss but also for patients with diabetes. If you need even more proof that beans can aid you in your weight loss struggle, consider this: beans are also high in leptin. This substance is actually a naturally occurring hormone in the body that helps suppress appetite and boost metabolism. If you’re looking for an extra boost, you can find even more leptin by consuming beans and other plant-based foods.

Now that your protein and soluble fibre is covered, throw in a little spinach to get your insoluble fibre, the kind that aids in regular digestion. And whether you cook it or eat it raw, spinach contains other nutrients in abundance, such as potassium, beta-carotene for healthy vision, and lipoic acid for stabilising blood sugar.

Spinach won’t be the only ingredient in this recipe that gives you beta-carotene, however. A full cup of carrots will make sure that you get plenty of this nutrient, in addition to other cancer fighting and heart healthy antioxidants.

Ingredients:

1 cup canned lentils

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup mild or medium heat salsa

1 medium onion, diced

10 ounces of fresh spinach, chopped or torn

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

6 cups of water

Preparation:

Using the olive oil, saute the onions and carrots in a saucepan until they are soft. Then introduce the water along with lentils of your choice and salsa. Sprinkle in salt, and let boil. Once the soup is boiling, turn down the heat to a simmer and add spinach. Continue simmering for 10 minutes. This recipe yields at least six servings.

Rumours have been rife that the 53-year-old comedienne, who titled her 2008 autobiography Dear Fatty, has been aided by a gastric band since she showed off her remarkably slimmer figure on the red carpet.

Dawn has lost around 4 stone since her split from husband of 25 years, Lenny Henry, last year.

Dawn told The Daily Mail, “I’m eating healthily, taking care of myself and feeling very happy indeed. Life is good. I want to go to Pilates classes, actually.”

If you are unhappy with your weight, The Hospital Group offer a number of weight loss solutions, such as the gastric band, as well as Cosmetic Surgery, including tummy tucks and liposuction.