lose her up to find the strength to lose eight and a half stone. she completed a triathlon, stating it was not enough. i completed a triathlon, stating it was not enough.— completed a triathlon, stating it was not enough. i still did not like me. i was not enough. i still did not like me- i wanted _ was not enough. i still did not like me. i wanted to _ was not enough. i still did not like me. i wanted to look— was not enough. i still did not like me. i wanted to look like - was not enough. i still did not like me. i wanted to look like that - me. i wanted to look like that instagram person and be that person because you always have that idea that if you do become that person that if you do become that person that would be the best life ever. but i felt like no, there's still something i'm not happy, why am i not happy? figs something i'm not happy, why am i not happy?— not happy? as predictable as it is heartbreaking, _ not happy? as predictable as it is heartbreaking, the way _ not happy? as predictable as it is heartbreaking, the way to - not happy? as predictable as it isi heartbreaking, the way to return. living with obesity means living with obesity. there are no breaks. i used to go through a phase of weighing myself every day and i would think why am i doing this? all i'm doing is punishing myself every day. by stepping on the scales and seeing a number i don't know. going to meet a friend for lunch shortly and i am thinking what are the chair is going to be like because it and perching on a chair thinking it may collapse underneath me i will not

feel very comfortable. so it's sunday morning and i am here with an 80 and we are about to go for a swimming lesson and i'm thinking how would i get into the swimming pool. this is all simple. limit their food, do more exercise. if it was that simple, they may be one in four of us in the uk would not be living with obesity. of us in the uk would not be living with obesity-— with obesity. people who have inherited the _ with obesity. people who have inherited the gene _ with obesity. people who have inherited the gene set - with obesity. people who have inherited the gene set that - with obesity. people who have - inherited the gene set that means that they're much more likely to develop obesity in environment than other people. he put them in an environment where we have the kind of foods available today and without the most incredible willpower and support they are put on weight. aha, support they are put on weight. a lot of people watching this will say when i put on a few pounds on holiday if i go on a diet or to the gym it works for me and these people are greedy, what's the problem. the

number of are greedy, what's the problem. tue: number of people are greedy, what's the problem. tte: number of people i are greedy, what's the problem. "tte: number of people i have are greedy, what's the problem. tte: number of people i have encountered in my 30 year career that have been able to go from morbid obesity to normal weight by dieting alone, i don't think i've ever met one. it is so hard to do. don't think i've ever met one. it is so hard to tie-— don't think i've ever met one. it is so hard to dd— so hard to do. the government launched an — so hard to do. the government launched an obesity _ so hard to do. the government launched an obesity strategy . so hard to do. the government l launched an obesity strategy last year including plans to limit the promotion of unhealthy food. but maybe it's also about how we all think about obesity.— think about obesity. when the illness is called _ think about obesity. when the illness is called obesity - illness is called obesity unfortunately public perception has not quite understood that it's an illness. strangely perhaps for sarah, that comes as a relief. understanding that her apartment is tentative and that her condition is an illness. it can but it's not her fault. t an illness. it can but it's not her fault. ., . ., , fault. i have the gene which means i'm fault. i have the gene which means i'm 50% more _ fault. i have the gene which means i'm 50% more likely _ fault. i have the gene which means i'm 50% more likely to _ fault. i have the gene which means i'm 5096 more likely to live with - i'm 50% more likely to live with obesity than not and one of the otherjeans i've got means of a propensity to eat fatty foods. it is

not because i don't have willpower this is because of my body. this is science and the way i'm built. the science and the way i'm built. the science is this. _ science and the way i'm built. the science is this. it's _ science and the way i'm built. the science is this. it's now increasingly clear that genetics hard—wire some of our bodies to actively work to store excess fat. we have got a fish shop... find actively work to store excess fat. we have got a fish shop... and then there is the — we have got a fish shop... and then there is the food _ we have got a fish shop... and then there is the food environment. - we have got a fish shop... and then there is the food environment. theyi there is the food environment. they live surrounded by mass—produced sugar and fat foods on the doorstep. no food shops around here, no butchers. no food shops around here, no butchers— no food shops around here, no butchers. �* , ., ., . no food shops around here, no butchers. ~ , ., ., . ., butchers. arguably an addictive and dancerous. butchers. arguably an addictive and dangerous. and _ butchers. arguably an addictive and dangerous. and cheap. _ butchers. arguably an addictive and dangerous. and cheap. you - butchers. arguably an addictive and dangerous. and cheap. you look. butchers. arguably an addictive and dangerous. and cheap. you look at| dangerous. and cheap. you look at areas like here, _ dangerous. and cheap. you look at areas like here, we _ dangerous. and cheap. you look at areas like here, we had _ dangerous. and cheap. you look at areas like here, we had to - dangerous. and cheap. you look at areas like here, we had to sign - dangerous. and cheap. you look at areas like here, we had to sign a l areas like here, we had to sign a petition last week for one of these jobs here and this one is next to the take away here. tt jobs here and this one is next to the take away here.— jobs here and this one is next to the take away here. if obesity is an illness that — the take away here. if obesity is an illness that where _ the take away here. if obesity is an illness that where is _ the take away here. if obesity is an illness that where is the _ the take away here. if obesity is an| illness that where is the treatment? there are times where historically when i have gone to the doctor been

so desperate for help and saying please just help me and they have been times where they say there's nothing we can do for you. in been times where they say there's nothing we can do for you.- nothing we can do for you. in the areas of the _ nothing we can do for you. in the areas of the uk _ nothing we can do for you. in the areas of the uk where _ nothing we can do for you. in the areas of the uk where help - nothing we can do for you. in the areas of the uk where help is - areas of the uk where help is available, it comes as a a0 year programme and starts with food advice. most of their medical and psychological help and ends here. in the operating room. they call it bariatric surgery, the obesity treatment of last resort. it radically reduces the size of the stomach and limits food intake suppresses hunger. and the results are genetic. tar suppresses hunger. and the results are genetic— are genetic. for this gentleman it will be life saving. _ are genetic. for this gentleman it will be life saving. these - are genetic. for this gentleman it will be life saving. these people | will be life saving. these people need to lose eight to ten stone otherwise they're going to die of the obesity and its related illnesses. there is growing evidence that there is no healthy way to be obese with links to things like

cardiovascular disease and stroke. the latest bad news is that severe obesity means 66% higher chance. of chronic kidney disease. this gentleman and his kidney disease is getting worse and worse his health is the bigger his way becomes. his issue will be he will now start to do that —— develop diabetes which will make his kidney disease even worse. and the vicious cycle more and more entrenched. i am all for prevention of obesity but the reality is in the uk there are 2a0 million people who are now so big that they need treatment, prevention and diets are not going to work. t and diets are not going to work. i know that if i went through the surgery—

know that if i went through the surgery and i regained weight that's what a _ surgery and i regained weight that's what a mentally don't think i can handle — what a mentally don't think i can handle. ., ., , , what a mentally don't think i can handle. ., ., ,, ., handle. none of this is easy but for some the operation _ handle. none of this is easy but for some the operation is _ handle. none of this is easy but for some the operation is the - handle. none of this is easy but for some the operation is the last - handle. none of this is easy but for some the operation is the last bestj some the operation is the last best hope of change. for now at least. the government says obesity is among the biggest national changes in the queen alexandra hospital in portsmouth it's an obesity clinic day. patients here can be complex cases. just like sarah, india has been living with obesity for years. just like sarah, she found it punishing physically and mentally. it's been tough. she punishing physically and mentally. it's been tough.— it's been tough. she has thought about it and _ it's been tough. she has thought about it and run _ it's been tough. she has thought about it and run through - it's been tough. she has thought about it and run through the - about it and run through the options. she is going for the operation. options. she is going for the operation-— options. she is going for the

o eration. . , options. she is going for the o eration. ,, , .,,, operation. self-esteem, weight loss, ha - iness, operation. self-esteem, weight loss, happiness. i — operation. self-esteem, weight loss, happiness. i will _ operation. self-esteem, weight loss, happiness, i will be _ operation. self-esteem, weight loss, happiness, i will be comfortable - operation. self-esteem, weight loss, happiness, i will be comfortable and| happiness, i will be comfortable and happy for the first time in a long time. ., ., .,, ., time. for sarah, the hope now is that new drug — time. for sarah, the hope now is that new drug therapies - time. for sarah, the hope now is that new drug therapies and - time. for sarah, the hope now is- that new drug therapies and appetite suppressant will soon be available in the uk and give her what she wants the most. tt in the uk and give her what she wants the most.— in the uk and give her what she wants the most. if you could change an hint wants the most. if you could change anything about _ wants the most. if you could change anything about yourself _ wants the most. if you could change anything about yourself what - wants the most. if you could change anything about yourself what would | anything about yourself what would it be? mr; anything about yourself what would it be? ~ , , anything about yourself what would it be?- without _ anything about yourself what would it be?- without hesitation? it be? my size. without hesitation? absolutely- — it be? my size. without hesitation? absolutely. people _ it be? my size. without hesitation? absolutely. people do _ it be? my size. without hesitation? absolutely. people do not - it be? my size. without hesitation? absolutely. people do not value - absolutely. people do not value me the same which is why i don't like myself because i don't want to be like that. i want to be like them. and you come to accept you want to be like them. i and you come to accept you want to be like them-— be like them. i think there is an element of hope _ be like them. i think there is an element of hope in _ be like them. i think there is an element of hope in me. - be like them. i think there is an element of hope in me. the - be like them. i think there is an - element of hope in me. the physical im act of element of hope in me. the physical impact of obesity — element of hope in me. the physical impact of obesity can _ element of hope in me. the physical impact of obesity can be _ element of hope in me. the physical impact of obesity can be incredibly l impact of obesity can be incredibly difficult. but it's also tangled up with psychological issues in the complex link between mental health and food. it can feel overwhelming. when i'm looking in the mirror i don't stand and stare because that for me would be the breaking point.

because i don't like what i see in the mirror. i never have. because ou the mirror. i never have. because you don't— the mirror. i never have. because you don't like _ the mirror. i never have. because you don't like it _ the mirror. i never have. because you don't like it or— the mirror. i never have. because you don't like it or because - the mirror. i never have. because| you don't like it or because society does not? �* .., , you don't like it or because society does not? �* , , you don't like it or because society doesnot? , , ., , ., does not? because society does not like it. does not? because society does not like it- after— does not? because society does not like it- after a _ does not? because society does not like it. after a lifetime _ does not? because society does not like it. after a lifetime of _ does not? because society does not like it. after a lifetime of blame - like it. after a lifetime of blame and stigma. _ like it. after a lifetime of blame and stigma, for _ like it. after a lifetime of blame and stigma, for a _ like it. after a lifetime of blame and stigma, for a semi-the - like it. after a lifetime of blame l and stigma, for a semi-the focus like it. after a lifetime of blame - and stigma, for a semi-the focus now and stigma, for a semi—the focus now is on her daughter. t and stigma, for a semi-the focus now is on her daughter.— is on her daughter. i want her to know that _ is on her daughter. i want her to know that everyone _ is on her daughter. i want her to know that everyone comes - is on her daughter. i want her to know that everyone comes in . know that everyone comes in different shapes and sizes and we have different hair colour and different heights and everyone is ok with that and we don't care but we do when it's their body shape and they want her to be heard and that's what i'm passionate about getting that message across to her. that's wh sarah that message across to her. that's why sarah is _ that message across to her. that's why sarah is starting _ that message across to her. that's why sarah is starting a _ that message across to her. that's why sarah is starting a charity. - that message across to her. that's why sarah is starting a charity. to | why sarah is starting a charity. to change attitudes and to help prejudice. t change attitudes and to help re'udice. . change attitudes and to help prejudice-— change attitudes and to help re'udice. . , , ., prejudice. i want my people to understand — prejudice. i want my people to understand that _ prejudice. i want my people to understand that obesity - prejudice. i want my people to understand that obesity is - prejudice. i want my people to understand that obesity is not | prejudice. i want my people to - understand that obesity is not their fault. i in the process of starting an obesity charity because there is not a lot of support and drive out there to change that to narrative. for the professionals, that change

cannot come soon enough. itriui’ith for the professionals, that change cannot come soon enough. with each -iassin cannot come soon enough. with each passing year — cannot come soon enough. with each passing year that _ cannot come soon enough. with each passing year that we _ cannot come soon enough. with each passing year that we have _ cannot come soon enough. with each passing year that we have failed - cannot come soon enough. with each passing year that we have failed to i passing year that we have failed to really get on board with managing the obesity epidemic it gets exponentially worse. i look back in ten, 20 years time that they way we treated people and be utterly horrified. we had some contrasts in the weather

today. it's been grey away some low clouds and mist and fog with outbreaks of rain and drizzle but is not being like that everywhere. in scotland and northern ireland and places we have seen brighter with a few bits of sunshine. in the week i had the headline is that the weather will get exceptionally mild and the deeper the reds the more extreme the heat. we are not talking about t—shirt weather however, there is vacancy temperatures go as high as 17 compared with the december average of eight. 17 is not far off. the uk december temperature record which currently stands at 18.7. 0vernight they would be extensive crowd with outbreaks of rain for england and wales but pushing into northern ireland and seven scotland and murky with fog patches particularly in scotland where there will be some patches of frost and otherwise it's a frosty —— frost free nights. a windy start today for the coast with gusts of a0 to 50 mph

and rain widely the rain across eastern england will be reluctant to ease but will become lighter and touchier into the afternoon and brighter and resting areas and once we have lost the morning mist and fog it would have the best chance of seeing some sunshine. for the middle part of the week we see the surge of southwestern land dragging it back exceptionally mild air. they will be fence around for wednesday we start off with rain wide and the will become more confined to western areas of the beatles by and we could see an occasional break in the crowd across eastern areas but on the whole it stays cloudy. temperatures will be climbing well above average. but 16 in london and it will get crazy and if anything does temperatures rise even further as we look at the forecast for thursday. heavy rain for whales and western areas of england and turning what a

ireland later in the but as the temperatures take centre stage reaching highs up to 17.

this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. the headlines... no new coronavirus restrictions will be introduced in england before the new year. but the health secretary says people should remain cautious — and that the figures are being monitored. we will watch the situation very carefully and should, in the future, we need to act, of course, we will not hesitate to do so. as covid cases increase rapidly in france, home working will become mandatory for at least three days per week where possible. in new york, children aged 12 and over have to be fully vaccinated to go into restaurants and leisure facilities, as infections rise in the city. remembering archbishop desmond tutu — south africa has begun a week