BBC 1 - The Big Crash Diet Experiment

[HollowTalk]

Anyone watching this? I'm interested to see what the results are for the people taking part.

Interesting prog in that the quick weight loss reversed health issues. For me that was the message of the programme. If the country as a whole slimmed down, imagine the health benefits for all in terms of accessing treatment on the nhs - what resources could be freed up. I know weight loss is a complicated issue but it’s an amazing what losing 10% of your body weight can do or health.
Btw, I thought that about the priest too & his family!

I wonder whether the reversal of medical conditions will motivate them to stick to healthy eating. It must be like a damacles sword hanging over their heads.
My uncle was a Catholic priest. He left the priesthood to marry his long term lover. They hid away for 20 years and never had a family. (His fault he should have left earlier) I wonder whether there is any resentment from existing Catholic priests when they see their peers with their children and grandchildren? As if the rule wasn't stupid enough anyway, it makes it even more pointless when others are presumably still able to minister and be fathers and grandfathers to their own family.

Cambridge weight plan.. fantastic show.. also they are not just soup shakes / they have meals and bars too... and offer plans with food for those clients who prefer that option ..

It’s been along time in coming.. finally recognised by the nhs .. and BMJ..

This was a substantially floored programme. Susan Webb is paid by the diet industry.

Times article here

How is it flawed?
Weight loss companies contributed some money for research purposes - so what? The main donar was Weight Watchers. Drug companies also contribute money for research. Much of the medical research in the uk is funded by commerce.Otherwise it wouldn’t be possible due to the lack of government funding.
Secondly this programme didn’t name the meal replacements they were using as far as I’m aware?
Thirdly obesity is such a huge issue that anything that helps tackle this will be a good use of nhs resources.

Thanks for the heads up, I'd missed this.

Just downloaded to watch.

That article is from 2010. It does beg the question of who is paying her for research now if she has done such an about turn, or if it is a genuine look at the research.

She is now the Government Health Tzar on Obesity. So we the taxpayer are partially funded her now.

Just Googled Susan Jebb and this article came up....

"professor Susan Jebb said there is now solid evidence showing short-term diets can cut weight-related diabetes, even if the loss is later regained"

Oxford Mail

Although the initial health results were good I don’t think it works in the long term at all. I’ve had 4 friends do Cambridge, lost weight then regained it all within a year or 2.
What a waste of time & effort.

I'm surprised she said it reduces your risk of diabetes in the long term. How does she know? It's only a recent study and diabetes is a result of a long term poor diet. Surely if you put the weight back on after a year and continued eating poorly, in a few years your diabetes will come back.

raisedbyguineapigs that's what I would have thought too.

Is anyone thinking of doing a shake diet as a result of watching the programme? I am and would love to find others to build a support network over the next few months. I have at least 2 stone to lose and this seems like a good kick start plan.
Science wise I have also just read the Blood Sugar diet and there is a ton of evidence on how a 800cal a day diet helps lose the weight and reverse diabetes, this programme is saying the same thing but weight loss was just done through shakes.

@bethw3101 I've just bought several cans of slimfast because I know I like the taste of that. Not sure if it will be everyday but definitely thinking of the 5:2 with them.

@sluttybutty not used mumsnet before either so any hints on best way to set up a group chat for support?

I lost 6 stone on Cambridge Weight Plan....tried every diet and was the ultimate 'yo-yo' dieter. Maintaining since September last year. Go to Cambridge Web Site and put in your postcode. You'll find a local consultant to you who would be happy to speak with you. The main reason I lost is the one to one support I got. Kept me on track and still does!

beth I don't think you can do groups I've been on mn for years so should know but you can start a thread that we comment on.

the only thing to work long term is healthy balanced diet.

I wonder if it would be better though to do a 2 week crash diet and then concentrate on maintenance, since you have to do the maintenance phase for every diet anyway.