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Research by the UK’s leading slimming organisation has revealed women’s top five summer holiday horrors. And it comes as no surprise that top of the list is wearing a swimming costume in public.

A national survey of women of all shapes and sizes, conducted by Slimming World and YouGov[1], found that a staggering 85% of UK women are unhappy with their weight, while the thought of stripping off under the sun makes millions dread the summer activities that others enjoy.

But for women who worried about their size enough to join a slimming club, these concerns were even greater. A parallel survey of 3,300 Slimming World members[2] showed that before building their confidence and tackling their weight with the slimming club, the vast majority were left feeling the heat at the thought of showing their bodies in summer.

The top five holiday horrors that the slimming club members reported were:

1. 73% - Dreaded wearing a swimming costume in public
2. 62% - Dreaded wearing revealing clothes
3. 39% - Felt unable to go on a beach on holiday
4. 35% - Dreaded meeting new people
5. 21% - Dreaded fitting into tight airline seats

 While it might be expected that people who joined a slimming club were at the time unhappy with their shape, the national research shows that in fact, whatever their figure, the thought of wearing revealing summer garments brings most women out in a cold sweat. According to the YouGov survey of the general population, worries about wearing a swimming costume in public are shared by four out of 10 UK women, while 36% agree they dread wearing revealing clothes and 13% have felt unable to go on a beach on holiday.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World head of nutrition and research, says: “Most women worry about their bodies sometimes and there’s nothing like the thought of stripping off on a crowded beach to bring those anxieties to the forefront.

“Psychologically, the summer holidays can be a great time of year to start your weight loss journey. The warmer weather brings with it a feeling of optimism, creating a positive state of mind. Starting to shed unwanted pounds before heading off on holiday is great for self esteem.”

The research revealed that since tackling their weight, Slimming World members are now more likely than other women to feel happy, confident and satisfied with their life.

“Losing weight has a huge impact on happiness and self esteem,” says Dr Lavin. “However it’s the support members get at their local Slimming World group that really gives them the confidence to love themselves for who they are, as well as what they look like. Happier on the inside and slimmer on the outside, it’s wonderful to know that, for many, those holiday horrors will be a thing of the past this summer.”

For more information or to find your local Slimming World group visit www.slimmingworld.com or call 0844 897 8000.

ENDS

For more information on this release contact the Slimming World press office on 01773 546101 or email public.relations@slimming-world.com.
If you are calling out of office hours please call 07920 799106.

NB. If you would like to request a case study, eating plan, expert comment or statistics please contact the press office using the details above.

 Notes to Editors

·        Slimming World is the largest and most advanced slimming organisation in the UK. Margaret Miles-Bramwell (OBE, FRSA) founded the company in 1969 and there are now 6,700 groups held weekly nationwide via a network of 2,700 Slimming World trained Consultants.

·        300,000 members attend Slimming World every week and achieve outstanding success.

·        Members lose 17,857 stones every week: 2,551 stones every day, over 106 stones every hour, that’s 1 stone 10 lbs lost every minute of every day with Slimming World.

·        Slimming World pioneered referral schemes in the UK and actively supports the building of partnerships with the NHS and local authorities to develop effective strategies to manage overweight and obesity in the community. Slimming World works with university researchers and specialists in an active research programme to further knowledge of the causes and treatment of obesity.

·        Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, and the principles behind Slimming World’s philosophy are based on a deep understanding of the challenges faced by overweight people. Slimming World integrates practical, up-to-date dietary advice with a highly developed support system.

·        Slimming World Consultants receive specific training in dietary aspects and the role of physical activity in weight control. The highly developed training focuses on facilitating behaviour change in a group environment, acknowledged by experts as being the most effective way to support long-term weight management.

·        In 2009 Slimming World celebrated its 40^th Anniversary and four decades of helping people to lose weight without deprivation, guilt or hunger.

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