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TOAST will help you to lose that spare tyre

15/ 3/2007

A PLEA has been issued to help solve an epidemic that is quickly becoming the scourge of Britain.

Running now, National Obesity Week is aiming to raise awareness of the issues by highlighting the importance of a good diet and healthy living.

The Obesity and Awareness Solutions Trust (TOAST) is the leading charity during the week-long campaign, which ends on Saturday.

TOAST has announced the findings of survey which reveals there is a major stigma against obesity in the workplace.

They claim prejudice does exist and overweight people are targeted as a result.

Other facts include:

• One in four women and one in five men are obese
• One in five children between the ages of two and 15 are obese
• Obesity shortens life by an average of nine years and is linked to 30,000 deaths a year
• By 2025 a quarter of the NHS budget will be used to treat type-2 diabetes
• It is responsible for people taking 18 million sick days a year and is linked to cancer and depression

They have also unveiled a dedicated website for young people helping them to learn about obesity as a young age The site is packed with advice on bullying, health, food recipes and tips on solving food addiction at an early age.

For more information log on to www.toast-uk.org