'I'm a doctor and this is the best way to lose weight before Christmas'

Dr Mark Porter said he did not believe exercise and 'fad' diets were the best way to lose weight

A doctor has given his best tips for losing weight before Christmas - and he doesn’t recommend ‘fad’ crash diets and masses of exercise. Writing in The Times Dr Mark Porter said that sometimes the best way to shift the pounds off was a more considered approach.

He explained that currently most of the English population are overweight - 64 per cent of adults - (defined as a body mass index of 25 or more) and 26 per cent are obese (a BMI of 30 or more). He said: “A new report suggests that the repercussions extend far beyond the impact on wellbeing of the individual, costing the NHS and the economy nearly £100 billion a year.

“The UK is now the most overweight nation in Europe and the evidence is all around us. I certainly see it daily in practice, and like all GPs have to deal with its myriad complications, ranging from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease to arthritic joints and cancer “

Dr Porter said that the issue needed to be higher up the agenda - in the same week as health secretary Victoria Atkins excused herself from food policy decisions because of her husband’s links to the sugar industry, with many calling for more leadership and for the government to introduce a ‘sugar tax’ to make unhealthy food less easy to buy.

Dr Porter admitted weight loss drug access was limited on the NHS and said: “As a rule, GPs do not have access to the latest slimming drugs so it’s not a matter of reaching for the prescription pad. And most of our patients won’t fulfil the necessary criteria for referral to a specialist clinic. What we can do is encourage and support change without prejudice. There is no panacea and weight-loss programmes should be tailored to the individual.

“I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but this is what I have learnt over the past 37 years, through trial and error, personal experience and by listening to researchers in the field.”

According to the doctor the ‘get tough’ approach doesn’t work: “Blaming the individual, or scaring them, is neither helpful nor effective. You would expect a recent heart attack or a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes to motivate an overweight person to change their diet and lifestyle, and often it does, but it requires a subtle approach to get the best results. Research shows that you are more likely to encourage change if you offer support rather than deliver a stern warning.”

He said that the endness new diets were down to ‘commercial interests’ rather than breakthroughs and added: “It’s a cycle fuelled by many people having tried many different regimens over the years, only to regain the weight within 12-18 months, so it’s only natural to keep looking for another one that promises to make it all that bit easier.

“In my experience the best weight-loss diet is simply the one that you can stick to. For that reason, I prefer subtle changes in diet and lifestyle over crash regimens that shift the weight quickly. Very low-calorie diets, drugs and surgery all have their place but are not required for most overweight people.”

He added that hitting the gym has a great many benefits but explained: “Exercise regimens alone are not a great way to shift weight, not least because you have to run for at least an hour to burn off a decent mince pie. So combine any new programme with a diet for the best results.”

What diets does Dr Porter recommend?

“I often recommend the low-carb approach, which involves cutting back on sugary drinks and foods, and starches such as rice, bread, pasta and cereals. I don’t believe there is anything magical about a low-carb regimen but it has a number of benefits. It does seem easier to sustain than many other approaches, and I speak from personal experience; most of us eat too many carbs, and it has particular advantages (lowering blood sugar levels) for the ten million or so people in the UK who already have type 2 diabetes or are at high risk of developing it (pre-diabetes).”