The Duchess of York in Hull TV programmes. Also the Slimfast advert during the commercial break.

I watched both of the programmes on ITV1 about the Duchess of York trying to help an overweight, disadvantaged family living on the Preston Road Estate in Hull. I must say my opinion of the duchess rose considerably as a result of seeing these programmes. She was kind, friendly, understanding and helpful. Unlike many diet gurus, her manner was not at all patronising or bullying, and I think the family will have pleasant memories of their contact with her and so will continue to benefit from her sensible advice and ideas.

I was struck by one of the adverts during one of the commercial breaks - that for Slimfast. - There was the usual note on the screen about the product only helping with slimming if it is taken as part of a calories controlled diet...)o: - This is RUBBISH! - It is UNTRUE! - Calorie control/restriction/reduction/counting does not IN ANY WAY assist with losing excess weight.

The ONLY way to reduce excess weight is to reduce fluid retention, which is the cause of excess weight. - This means in practice reducing salt/sodium intake and/or increasing intake of potassium-rich foods such as fruit and fresh vegetables.

I wrote to the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) years ago about this calorie-controlled diet advice, which is so widespread. The ASA is supposed to ensure that adverts are "legal, decent, honest and truthful." - Well these calorie claims are not true; they are misleading and damaging. To lose excess weight, calorie reduction is unnecessary, counter-productive and harmful, and furthermore, there has never been a shred of evidence to support the claims made about calorie reduction, nor have the claims ever even been put to the test... - But the ASA has never done anything about these fraudulent claims... - So, in my opinion, the ASA is pretty useless...)o:

Salty food causes fluid retention/weight gain/obesity in people who are sensitive to salt, so for overweight people to lose weight they need to avoid eating salt and salty food.

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

See my website http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/.html (The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

Children and Obesity

vulnerable groups

See Sodium in foods and

Associated health conditions

amitriptyline

prescribed steroids and HRT

See FAT RETENTION

advice for pregnant mothers

http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/socio.html - social and economic considerations