Published39 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Annabel RackhamCulture reporterKatie Price says there is “nothing worse” than women in their early 20s getting cosmetic procedures and wants to educate them about the risks.The model and TV personality is known for going under the knife herself, but insisted she’s “not a hypocrite”.”I didn’t start doing my face until I was in my 40s. I had a boob job, but I didn’t even have fillers,” she said, warning it is “damaging to your body”.”I didn’t do it all in my 20s. I think everyone looks like aliens these days.”Speaking to the podcast How To Fail With Elizabeth Day, Price, 45, said: “I didn’t have Botox till I was like 27/28. Lips I tried when they didn’t know [how to do it] and I looked like a duck, but then I just relaxed on it.Image source, Getty Images”All the girls look the same now, and I think, what are they going to look like then when they’re my age?”Price, who has five children, said the recovery process from her surgeries had “put them off for life”.”People don’t realise when you have surgery and stuff, you only see before and after, you don’t see in between – when you’ve had it, the pain and the cleaning, the stitches out and the bed rests.”So I would love to educate people about it. It’s damaging to your body. I’ve had so many anaesthetics. I know I still choose to do it, but I’m older now.”Katie Price: The rise and fall of a glamour modelKatie Price declared bankrupt for second timeBankrupt Price to lose 40% of OnlyFans incomeShe said choosing her next plastic surgery was “like going shopping, for me, which is so bad”.”But I could go further than I have done. Sometimes I do look in the mirror and go, ‘Ooh, are people looking because you look plastic, or are they looking because you look good?'”There’s nothing worse than when these young girls now, in their early 20s, who are all getting fillers, all getting lips, all getting the boobs [done].”Image source, Getty ImagesPrice has been sharing more of her personal life in recent years, including life behind the scenes with her disabled son, Harvey.She has made a series of documentaries for the BBC about his life with autism and rare genetic disease Prader-Willi syndrome. In July 2023, Price also said she had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and said she thinks that explains some of her poor choices.She told the podcast: “I’ve now been diagnosed, not that I believe in labels, but it makes sense that I’ve got severe ADHD. And it would make sense now, because I’ve made the wrong choices, done the wrong things, when really I’m just innocent [and] gullible.”Yet, there’s that side of me where I just can’t help to say something or do something and we’ve worked out in my brain it’s got to be my ADHD.”Price, who now generates some of her income from producing content on subscription website OnlyFans, has continued to attract tabloid interest for her romantic relationships and financial problems in recent years.She was declared bankrupt for a second time earlier this month and said that wouldn’t have happened “if men had not been in my life”.Price has been married three times, to singer Peter Andre from 2005 to 2009, a relationship she says was “real”, but described her subsequent marriages to Alex Reid, from 2010 to 2012, and Kieran Hayler, from 2013 to 2021, as “just rebounds”.She has also been in and out of court a number of times in recent years for driving offences.More on this storyKatie Price: The rise and fall of a glamour modelPublished24 June 2022Katie Price declared bankrupt for second timePublished19 MarchBankrupt Price to lose 40% of OnlyFans incomePublished1 March

Published1 day agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Annabel RackhamHealth reporterCompanies selling super green supplements claim a scoop of their magic powder, mixed with water, is all you need to improve your health.Many promise a long list of potential benefits, such as stronger hair and nails, increased energy and decreased bloating.The clean, often green packaging advertises a list of ingredients such as pre and probiotics, antioxidants and vitamins.But experts have told the BBC there are easier and cheaper ways to get these nutrients into our diets.Tamsin Hill, a registered dietitian for the NHS, says she first came across them through targeted social media advertising and, because of her job, looked into what they were offering.She looked at the market leader, Athletic Greens, which was last valued at £945m ($1.2bn), and claims that taking its superfood powder AG1 made users feel more energetic, have clearer skin and less cravings.”I looked on the back of the packet at the ingredients and thought they weren’t likely to improve your health in a significant way,” she tells the BBC.Image source, Getty ImagesAnother company, Rheal Superfoods, which was featured on BBC programme Dragon’s Den in 2021, claims its daily super greens blend supports digestive health, immune system and “overall wellness from within”.Free Soul’s FS Greens blend also makes similar claims, promising to offer digestion and immunity support through key ingredients such as ashwagandha, golden kiwi and maca.A spokesperson for Athletic Greens told the BBC: “Our team of scientists and researchers have reviewed thousands of studies as part of the formulation and continuous improvement process for AG1.” The Free Soul team also told us their product “includes clinically studied and patented ingredients”.Rheal Superfoods, which was also contacted by the BBC, does not make any scientific claims in its online marketing.These products have also been approved to be sold in the UK by the Food Standards Association, the regulator which monitors food safety.’Playing on our health anxieties’Miss Hill says analysing these three products in particular: “If we look at the research, these claims aren’t backed up by scientific evidence and the evidence that we do have is very poor quality.”She adds: “It has very few people in the studies and lots of them are only in a petri dish, so fairly unreliable.” Plant-based diets good for the heartLiquid diets: Do they work and are they safe?Bigger breakfasts better for controlling appetiteImage source, Getty ImagesMiss Hill says she feels that these products, which count as ultra-processed because they have a complicated manufacturing process, “are playing on our health anxieties”.She says from her experience as a dietitian that “younger generations are becoming increasingly health-conscious” but is concerned “people are being misled into spending money for a perceived health benefit that’s not really there”.Registered nutritionist and author Jenna Hope says she thought super green products initially had a niche appeal, but says the huge number of products available on the market “suggests that people are buying them”.One industry estimate suggests the green powder market will double from £220m in 2023 to nearly £395m by 2030.”There’s lots of misleading information – these brands make you think you need these products to be healthy and support your cognitive function, your gut health, energy and sleep,” Ms Hope tells the BBC.”But actually we know that if you focus on having a healthy and balanced diet, you can get those benefits as well and don’t need to consume these elite green powders,” she adds.’It’s the weekly budget of a food shop’Super green powder supplements vary in price, but cost about £1 to £4 per day depending on which one you choose.”For some people that can be the weekly budget of a food shop,” Ms Hope says.”So if we instead focus on consuming lots of fruits and vegetables, even things like frozen spinach, greens, beans and pulses like lentils and whole grains, that’s really affordable,” she adds.Ms Hope emphasises that even reducing your intake of refined sugars, artificial sweeteners and ultra-processed foods will have a really positive effect on your health.Image source, Getty Images’There really isn’t a one size fits all’Miss Hill says that while these supplements may not have the science behind them to back up their claims, “they’re not harmful, so people can try them if they want to”.There is also another aspect that Ms Hope considers, that “for some people, they can put you in a healthy mindset”.”So if you start your day with these greens, you may feel more confident to make healthier choices later on in the day, even if they don’t necessarily make you healthier,” she adds.Ms Hope also considers that for people who are perhaps time-poor, there might be a benefit.”There really isn’t a one size fits all – if you take an individual with a highly stressful job, this could help them get closer to an adequate amount of nutrients,” she adds.She says they can also help people with dietary restrictions that prevent them from consuming some types of fruit and vegetables.Tips for a healthy dietNichola Ludlam-Raine, who represents the British Dietetic Association, tells the BBC “whole foods should always be the first choice for nutrition”.”Green supplements are certainly not necessary for health or a healthy diet, and in addition they do not count towards your five-a-day,” she adds.She recommends that people should focus on eating 30 different plant-based foods a week, such as whole grains, to increase fibre intake and adds that anyone who wants to take a green supplement should first consult a dietitian or registered nutritionist.More on this storyPlant-based diets good for the heartPublished25 May 2023Bigger breakfasts better for controlling appetitePublished16 September 2022Vegetables alone not enough to reduce heart riskPublished21 February 2022Liquid diets: Do they work and are they safe?Published8 March 2022

Published2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Annabel RackhamBBC NewsUltra-processed foods should be clearly labelled, experts say.Scientists said the warnings were needed as some ultra-processed foods could fall into the “healthy” green category of the “traffic-light” system.This was the case for meat-alternative products, the University College London team said, and some people may be unaware what they were buying was ultra-processed.Ultra-processed foods have been linked to obesity and heart disease.Five ingredientsCurrently, labels must show whether a food item is high in fat, salt and sugar but reveal no information about how processed it is.UPFs are defined by how they are made and what they contain.They often have more than five ingredients, with examples including cakes, biscuits and yoghurts.At the other end of the scale are unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables and fresh meat – and in the middle, processed foods such as cheeses, tinned products and some bread.Image source, Getty ImagesOf nearly 3,000 food and drink items popular in the UK the researchers looked at:55% were ultra-processed and labelled red, containing significantly more fat, saturated fat, sugar, salt and energy per 100g than the minimally or unprocessed, which tended to be labelled greenBut some UPFs were green and some minimally processed, such as nuts, seeds and whole milk, redImage source, Getty ImagesUCL senior research fellow and weight-management specialist Dr Adrian Brown told BBC News he had looked at a “meat alternative”, for example.”Generally, it can be considered highly processed – but if you look at front-of-package labelling for energy, fat, saturated fat and sugar, they’re all green, which would be considered healthy,” he said.Could ultra-processed foods be harmful for us?Ultra-processed foods ‘make you eat more’And there was too little research into the effect of UPFs on general health.”There’s a bit of a grey area [with UPFs] as, at this present time, we only have association data between ultra-processed food and health outcomes such as diabetes and heart disease,” Dr Brown said.Image source, Getty ImagesThe government’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) also described “uncertainties around the quality of evidence available”.Dr Brown’s team at UCL have now begun a trial to see how healthy a UFP-only diet can be, compared with a minimally processed one, and whether guidance should be given to consumers.”We’re putting people on an eight-week diet which meets the government’s recommendations for salt, fat, sugar and energy – what is considered healthy – and we’re comparing the outcomes of them, related to weight and other changes in terms of health as well,” he said.More on this storyCould ultra-processed foods be harmful for us?Published5 June 2023Ultra-processed foods ‘make you eat more’Published16 May 2019UN climate talks take aim at planet-warming foodPublished1 December 2023

Published37 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBy Annabel RackhamHealth reporterThe growing trend of children as young as eight using skincare products could leave them with irreversible skin problems, the British Association for Dermatologists has warned.Some children are asking their parents for luxury items after seeing them used by their favourite influencers on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.But many of these contain potentially harmful active ingredients intended for adults only, such as exfoliating acids.They can provoke allergies or eczema.Eight-year-old Sadie first saw skincare videos on TikTok, where influencers would talk about “how good they were on the skin”.She was particularly attracted to a product from the company Bubble, which “when you push down, comes up in [the shape of] a flower”, she tells BBC News, and US brand Drunk Elephant because “she liked the packaging a lot” and it sold everything from lip balms to moisturisers.BBC News has also received messages from several parents worried about their child’s interest in skincare – and the influence of social media and friends.With its bright colourful packaging and cartoon-animal logo, Drunk Elephant is one of the brands most frequently featured in adult and child influencers’ online skincare content.But many of its bestsellers, which cost about £60 each, contain exfoliators such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids and vitamin-A derivative retinol.Skincare content is unrestricted on social media and many daily-routine and get-ready-with-me videos attract millions of views.One skincare YouTuber has collated several from TikTok, showing children using harmful products.’Stay away’Other content creators have visited beauty stores – as workers at Sephora and US-based Ulta say children frequently abuse in-store testers and clear shelves of products as soon as they come into stock.Drunk Elephant in particular has become so popular founder Tiffany Masterson has had to tell “kids and tweens stay away from our more potent products that include acids and retinols” on social media.”Their skin does not need these ingredients quite yet,” she says.BBC News has approached Drunk Elephant for further comment.Fascination with the brand has gone global and seeing her friends had managed to get hold of the products, Sadie “begged” her mother, Lucy, to buy them.When she refused, realising they were unsuitable, Sadie approached other family members less aware of the potential harm.But Lucy says the products made Sadie’s skin itchy and red – and she had to stop her daughter using them.”It’s really difficult when it’s all your child will talk about,” Lucy tells BBC News.”Sadie likes to do [skincare] together with her friends and she feels left out if she’s not doing it.”Despite being interested in skincare herself, Lucy had “never heard” of some of the brands Sadie wanted.Lucy banned Sadie from TikTok, as she was too young for the platform, but many of the content creators she enjoys are still easily accessible on YouTube Shorts.’My allergies drove me to create my beauty firm’Skincare firm avoids fine for staff’s fake reviews”Trying to educate her at eight years old about what skincare should be like is really difficult when you’ve got influencers who she believes more than anyone else,” Lucy says.”She’s my youngest child and I didn’t think I’d have to worry about her doing skincare and policing skincare at this age. “It feels like her childhood has now been taken away.” Paediatric dermatologist Dr Tess McPherson says it is important children receive “information, not misinformation” about skincare.”[A lot of] these are anti-ageing products,” she tells BBC News.”They may be suitable for older skin – they are not suitable for children.”They can cause irritation to skin whatever age you are – but clearly for younger skin, they can be potentially dangerous or problematic. “For a child with eczema or sensitive skin, they could cause significant problems.”And a lot of them will be highly fragrant and they could get contact allergies to some of those products.” Dr McPherson, who represents the British Association of Dermatologists, also worries about the “suggestive packaging”, often bright and colourful and therefore attractive to children.”These products are sold as empowerment but [it] is playing on vulnerabilities,” she says.Parents wanting to address their children’s skin concerns should speak to a doctor or dermatologist to “get effective treatments”, Dr McPherson adds.”You don’t need to spend lots of money on expensive products and there’s no point seeking out perfect skin, which we know doesn’t exist”.There are no age restrictions on buying these items in shops or online.BBC News approached a number of retailers in the UK stocking skincare brands popular with children.A Boots representative said it was rolling out “additional training” for its 2,500 in-store beauty specialists, which “included specific information for younger customers and their parents”.More on this story’My allergies drove me to create my beauty firm’Published10 June 2019Skincare firm avoids fine for staff’s fake reviewsPublished22 October 2019What really causes acne – and what to do about itPublished9 November 2019

Published5 days agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBy Annabel RackhamHealth reporterThe growing trend of children as young as eight using skincare products could leave them with irreversible skin problems, the British Association for Dermatologists has warned.Some children are asking their parents for luxury items after seeing them used by their favourite influencers on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.But many of these contain potentially harmful active ingredients intended for adults only, such as exfoliating acids.They can provoke allergies or eczema.Eight-year-old Sadie first saw skincare videos on TikTok, where influencers would talk about “how good they were on the skin”.She was particularly attracted to a product from the company Bubble, which “when you push down, comes up in [the shape of] a flower”, she tells BBC News, and US brand Drunk Elephant because “she liked the packaging a lot” and it sold everything from lip balms to moisturisers.BBC News has also received messages from several parents worried about their child’s interest in skincare – and the influence of social media and friends.With its bright colourful packaging and cartoon-animal logo, Drunk Elephant is one of the brands most frequently featured in adult and child influencers’ online skincare content.But many of its bestsellers, which cost about £60 each, contain exfoliators such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids and vitamin-A derivative retinol.Skincare content is unrestricted on social media and many daily-routine and get-ready-with-me videos attract millions of views.One skincare YouTuber has collated several from TikTok, showing children using harmful products.’Stay away’Other content creators have visited beauty stores – as workers at Sephora and US-based Ulta say children frequently abuse in-store testers and clear shelves of products as soon as they come into stock.Drunk Elephant in particular has become so popular founder Tiffany Masterson has had to tell “kids and tweens stay away from our more potent products that include acids and retinols” on social media.”Their skin does not need these ingredients quite yet,” she says.BBC News has approached Drunk Elephant for further comment.Fascination with the brand has gone global and seeing her friends had managed to get hold of the products, Sadie “begged” her mother, Lucy, to buy them.When she refused, realising they were unsuitable, Sadie approached other family members less aware of the potential harm.But Lucy says the products made Sadie’s skin itchy and red – and she had to stop her daughter using them.”It’s really difficult when it’s all your child will talk about,” Lucy tells BBC News.”Sadie likes to do [skincare] together with her friends and she feels left out if she’s not doing it.”Despite being interested in skincare herself, Lucy had “never heard” of some of the brands Sadie wanted.Lucy banned Sadie from TikTok, as she was too young for the platform, but many of the content creators she enjoys are still easily accessible on YouTube Shorts.’My allergies drove me to create my beauty firm’Skincare firm avoids fine for staff’s fake reviews”Trying to educate her at eight years old about what skincare should be like is really difficult when you’ve got influencers who she believes more than anyone else,” Lucy says.”She’s my youngest child and I didn’t think I’d have to worry about her doing skincare and policing skincare at this age. “It feels like her childhood has now been taken away.” Paediatric dermatologist Dr Tess McPherson says it is important children receive “information, not misinformation” about skincare.”[A lot of] these are anti-ageing products,” she tells BBC News.”They may be suitable for older skin – they are not suitable for children.”They can cause irritation to skin whatever age you are – but clearly for younger skin, they can be potentially dangerous or problematic. “For a child with eczema or sensitive skin, they could cause significant problems.”And a lot of them will be highly fragrant and they could get contact allergies to some of those products.” Dr McPherson, who represents the British Association of Dermatologists, also worries about the “suggestive packaging”, often bright and colourful and therefore attractive to children.”These products are sold as empowerment but [it] is playing on vulnerabilities,” she says.Parents wanting to address their children’s skin concerns should speak to a doctor or dermatologist to “get effective treatments”, Dr McPherson adds.”You don’t need to spend lots of money on expensive products and there’s no point seeking out perfect skin, which we know doesn’t exist”.There are no age restrictions on buying these items in shops or online.BBC News approached a number of retailers in the UK stocking skincare brands popular with children.A Boots representative said it was rolling out “additional training” for its 2,500 in-store beauty specialists, which “included specific information for younger customers and their parents”.More on this story’My allergies drove me to create my beauty firm’Published10 June 2019Skincare firm avoids fine for staff’s fake reviewsPublished22 October 2019What really causes acne – and what to do about itPublished9 November 2019

Published20 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Annabel RackhamHealth reporterThe start of January has become synonymous with lifestyle changes – many new-year’s resolutions involve getting fit, losing weight and changing eating habits.It is all down to the fresh-start effect – most people believe choosing a set point, such as a new year, will help motivate them to reach a particular goal.But research suggests this does not always work, particularly for fitness.And there are a few reasons why those thinking about getting into exercise should bring their 2024 resolutions forward a few weeks.Why do people wait until January?The first month of a new year is seen as a transition point and has been adopted as a time that marks a new beginning.Psychology professor Dr John Norcross has been researching new-year’s resolutions for more than 40 years. And his findings suggest the most popular concern physical health, with more than a third of the thousands of people he has examined saying their main goal is to improve it.The second most popular category is weight loss, with 20% of participants saying they want to slim down and 13% they want to change their eating habits.But when Dr Norcross followed those making these resolutions, he found a third had given up after a month – and after six, most had. Image source, Getty ImagesHealth and diet expert Dr Duane Mellor tells BBC News: “It can feel harder to to start exercising in winter – and we artificially put in new-year’s resolutions, which are set with the best intentions, at sort of that time of year, when we feel we should do better.”And a lot of this comes from trying to recover from the “excess food and alcohol” consumed over the Christmas period, which, when coupled with less movement during colder days, leaves some feeling sluggish and in need of change.Why might it be better to start in December?”From a behavioural point of view, it’s more sensible to start doing exercise earlier in winter or later in autumn, as our natural habitats, our environment and our way of living, tends to slow down this type of time of year,” Dr Mellor says.”With the darkening nights, our minds push away from [thinking about being active] so going against that can be a real strong positive.” Dr Mellor advises finding a routine that works in the late autumn and early winter period, while also “trying to maintain a healthy way of eating”, so when the new year rolls around, healthier habits are already in place.As gyms struggle, how can the UK tackle inactivity?Friends could be key to finding fitness motivationHow your daily step count can help heart and headMany choose, running, the gym or group exercise classes as the place to kickstart a health journey – 12.5 million people took part in this type of activity last year, according to Sport England.But typically, workout spaces are a lot busier in January than December, thanks to resolutions.Image source, Getty ImagesPure Gym, which has 327 branches in the UK, and more than a million members, tells BBC News January is their busiest month, with November and December the quietest. And in January 2023, their gyms were nearly 40% busier than November and December 2022.Parkrun, which puts on free outdoor running events, tells BBC News they “usually see a strong upturn in January, particularly in the first Saturday of the new year”. And in January 2023, they had more than 50,000 registrations in the UK, compared with 26,000 in December 2022. Personal trainer and fitness coach Morgan Brazier tells BBC News January fitness goals put too much pressure on people to achieve.”If someone says they are going to start in January and make this massive change, if for whatever reason that doesn’t work out, they can feel a sense of guilt and think the year has already started off badly,” she says.Image source, Getty ImagesNew starters can be put off by regular or experienced users – but with gyms so much quieter around Christmas, they can “feel more comfortable”, with the time and space to build confidence by learning how to use machines or develop techniques.Ms Brazier’s other tips include:Have an induction when joining a gym – most offer them and it will help work out where everything isGo in with a plan – lots of free resources are available online to help structure a workoutBring a friend to a workout – it will increase confidence, especially if they are more advancedTry out a class and turn up early to speak to the instructor More on this storyAs gyms struggle, how can the UK tackle inactivity?Published20 SeptemberFriends could be key to finding fitness motivationPublished19 October 2022How your daily step count can help heart and headPublished4 April

Published31 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Annabel RackhamBBC NewsIt has long been touted that 10,000 steps a day is the magic number you need to stay fit and healthy – but a new study shows fewer than 5,000 may be enough to see a benefit. The analysis of more than 226,000 people around the world showed 4,000 was enough to start reducing the risk of dying prematurely of any cause.Just over 2,300 is enough to benefit the heart and blood vessels. The more you do, the more health benefits are seen, researchers said.Every extra 1,000 steps beyond the 4,000 reduced the risk of dying early by 15% up to 20,000 steps.The team from the Medical University of Lodz in Poland and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US found the walking benefits applied to all genders and ages, regardless of where they lived. However, the biggest benefits were seen among the under-60s.Friends could be key to finding fitness motivationPumping weights could help you live longerDaily walk prevents one in 10 early deaths – studyProf Maciej Banach, from the Lodz university, said that while the number of advanced drugs for treatment was growing, they were not the only answer.”I believe we should always emphasise that lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, which was a main hero of our analysis, might be at least as, or even more, effective in reducing cardiovascular risk and prolonging lives,” he said.Image source, Getty ImagesAccording to World Health Organization data, insufficient physical activity is responsible for 3.2 million deaths each year – the fourth most frequent cause worldwide.Honey Fine, a personal trainer and instructor for global fitness company Barry’s, emphasises the problems that come from sitting down too much.”It can slow your metabolism and affect muscle growth and strength, which can cause aches and pains,” she tells the BBC.”Sitting down for too long can also cause all sorts of back problems, we find this a lot with people with office jobs, that their backs are constantly put in a stressed compressed position which causes a lot more problems later on in life.”She explains the importance of non-exercise activity thermogenesis – also known as Neat, “which in simple terms is everything we do that uses energy and burns calories”.”Tasks like standing, carrying shopping, washing the floors, hoovering, pacing whilst walking on the phone – it’s all the little things that make us more active that help us to burn calories more efficiently,” she said.Simple ways to stay healthyEasy exercises to get your blood pressure downWhat’s the least exercise we can get away with? How your daily step count can help head and heartMs Fine says that although adding regular walks into your life may be daunting, the rewards are great when it comes to your health.”Walking can lower your blood pressure, strengthen your muscles to protect your bones, it can increase energy levels as well as giving you endorphins and it can help you maintain a healthy weight alongside healthy eating,” she says.Other benefits include boosts to your mental health and important time away from screens and other distractions.Walking is suitable for “almost anybody” because it is low impact and easy on joints and muscles, she added.A personal trainer’s top tips for walkingWalk to the station rather than going by bus or carIf you work at a desk, set hourly reminders to get up and move aroundIf you are pregnant, walking is the best kind of exercise to doTake a daily 30-minute walk listening to a podcastWalk with friends in a park or forest trails and walk the dog if you have oneStart small – a 10-minute walk from the station to the office can easily build up to a 20-minute stroll in the park and finally a 30-minute walk around townMore on this storyFriends could be key to finding fitness motivationPublished19 October 2022Pumping weights could help you live longerPublished28 September 2022Daily walk prevents one in 10 early deaths – studyPublished1 March

Published1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Annabel RackhamBBC NewsThe number of cosmetic procedures taking place in the UK has continued to increase following the pandemic, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).Breast enlargement remains the most popular surgery for women, but the number of breast reductions is also on the rise.Women underwent 93% of all recorded cosmetic procedures, BAAPS says.Anyone thinking about surgery should consider the risks before deciding.BAAPS is an organisation that looks at improving safety and innovation in cosmetic surgery.Its president Marc Pacifico says “economic uncertainty and a decrease in overall consumer spending does not seem to the deterring patients from having cosmetic surgery”.The BAAPS yearly audit looks at surgery undertaken in the UK – mostly at private clinics – so does not reflect the growing number of people going abroad for cosmetic procedures.The NHS has offered advice for those considering travelling to another country for surgery.Most common cosmetic procedures in 2022Women:Breast enlargement: 6,640Breast reduction: 5,270Tummy tucks: 3,241Liposuction: 2,669 Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): 2,439Men:Rhinoplasty (nose job): 388Chest Reduction: 343Blepharoplasty: 339Liposuction: 333Otoplasty (ear correction): 251BAAPS says 31,057 procedures took place in 2022, which is a 102% rise from 2021 when there were 15,405 done.Private cosmetic procedures were not permitted during some of the coronavirus lockdowns.In 2019 – before the pandemic hit – BAAPS reported a total number of 28,347 surgeries taking place.Image source, Chrissi SainsburyChrissi Sainsbury, 43, decided to have a breast reduction last year after a lung scan revealed she had a lump on her breast.A mammogram showed it was non-cancerous, but due to the amount of breast tissue she had, she said she “would have never found it”.Chrissi described the incident as a “wake-up call”.”It was never a vanity thing for me,” she told the BBC.Chrissi had the surgery privately in November 2022, going from a bra size 34HH to a 34D.According to BAAPS, breast reduction has grown significantly in popularity year-on-year.It recorded 3,743 breast reductions in women in 2018. In 2022, that number increased to 5,270 – a 40% rise.The procedure is designed to help women unhappy with the shape, weight or droop of their breasts by making them smaller and more lifted. There is an eligibility checklist used by NHS, but many women are opting to pay privately for the procedure.Seven UK patients died after Turkey weight loss surgeryBrazilian Butt Lift can be made safer say surgeonsWomen ‘should be warned’ of breast implant illnessChrissi says: “Before the surgery, things like drying my hair would be so difficult. “Anything that involved lifting my arms above my head was just incredibly hard.”Things like the gym – I absolutely could not run, even with a proper fitted sports bra – it was like having a massive sandbag on your front.”Chrissi says she no longer struggles with shoulder and neck pain or shortness of breath – something she dealt with constantly before her surgery.”I can now function so much better,” she adds.The NHS advises it is important to research the surgeon and clinic you have chosen before committing to any treatment. You should also be offered a cooling-off period after any consultation. More on this storyWomen ‘should be warned’ of breast implant illness22 July 2019Women ‘spurn facelifts for photo filters’7 February 2018Brazilian Butt Lift can be made safer say surgeons10 October 2022

Published7 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Annabel RackhamBBC NewsA weight loss jab that has gained popularity in the US has been approved for use by the NHS in England.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) concluded semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy, is safe, effective and affordable.Delivered via an injection into the skin, the drug makes people feel fuller and more satisfied, so they eat less.Famous personalities such Elon Musk claim to have used it – with a “craze” allegedly developing in Hollywood.Lifestyle changesBased on evidence from clinical trials, NICE says semaglutide could help people reduce their weight by over 10%, if implemented alongside nutrition and lifestyle changes.It will be recommended for use by people with at least one weight-related health condition, as well as those who have a body mass index (BMI) which puts them near the top of the obese range.BMI is calculated by dividing an adult’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.Those who are lower on the obese BMI range – a BMI between 30 and 34.9kg/m2 – could also be offered the drug if they have a weight-related health condition. NICE lists these as someone who is pre-diabetic, has type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or obstructive sleep apnoea. Weight-loss jab recommended on NHS Appetite drug could mark ‘new era’ in obesityCelebrity weight loss jab to be sold by chemistsOnce-weekly injections of Wegovy will have to be prescribed by a specialist, and an individual will only be able to take the drug for a maximum of two years.Semaglutide is also found in the diabetes medicine Ozempic, but, unlike Ozempic – which is intended for those with type 2 diabetes – Wegovy is recommended specifically for weight loss. The drug works as an appetite suppressant by mimicking a hormone called Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This intestinal hormone is released after eating and typically makes people feel fuller, so should help reduce overall calorie intake. Image source, Kailey WoodAn article published last year in Variety suggested the diabetes medicine Ozempic, which contains semaglutide, is being used by some professionals in the film and entertainment industry to lose weight quickly. It has become so popular that there are currently widespread shortages in the US and concerns for those people who rely on the drug for medical reasons. Insurance companies in the US are refusing to cover its use among people who are not diabetic and not taking it as a prescribed medicine. ‘Ozempic face’Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which makes both Ozempic and Wegovy, says the products should only be used as recommended by a doctor.Like all medication, semaglutide comes with side-effects and risks – including nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. In addition, rapid weight loss can also lead to the skin losing collagen and elastin, causing what Vogue Magazine has dubbed the gaunt “Ozempic face”. Kailey Wood, 36, has been taking Ozempic for seven months, after being prescribed the drug by her doctor in New York. She tells the BBC that she has lost just under 30kg – going from obese to healthy in the BMI range.”I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance, but honestly I didn’t really struggle with my weight until I hit my 30s – after I had my kids,” she says.”I was rapidly gaining weight. I had a personal trainer and was on every diet known to man – keto, low carbohydrate, intermittent fasting and nothing seemed to work,”.When Kailey went for tests with her doctor, she was told she had high blood pressure and high cholesterol and, due to the risks associated with PCOS, she was at risk of developing type 2 diabetes too.”The long-term effects [of being obese] freaked me out having two daughters,” she says.”I just wanted to get to my best self – to show them what a healthy mum looks like; to get outside and play with them.”Kailey, who works for a tech start-up and runs her own TikTok page, says that people who want to use semaglutide need to know the drug does have side-effects.”When you start taking this medication, your body almost goes into shock – you get headaches, nausea, tiredness,” she explains.”But your body starts to get used to it. You have to be mindful and listen to your body.”Kailey says those elements of the US media who promoting the drug as a “get skinny quick product” leave “a bad taste”. She believes it sends the wrong message.”What it’s really doing is changing people’s lives – treating the patient before they have the disease,” she says.”Diet and exercise” has been the weight loss medical mantra for decades. And on the whole it’s failed – more than half the planet is projected to be overweight or obese by 2035, driving up cases of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.It’s against that backdrop that semaglutide – and other drugs on the horizon – promise to do something different. The impact on weight while taking semaglutide is undeniable, at least for the short term. However, the drug is being offered only for two years and only in specialist services – raising issues of fairness. Not everyone who may be eligible will be able to access it. And the evidence shows the weight goes back on when people come off the drug, with people regaining around two-thirds of their lost weight within two years. There are also questions about the collision between these drugs (which are also available privately) with ideas of beauty and celebrity culture – particularly on those with eating disorders. And more deeply, whether we’re still ignoring the societal reasons that lead to obesity. BBC Sounds: Inside Health on weight-loss drugs Just over a quarter of adults in England are obese and around a third are overweight, according to official figures. In the UK, obesity is thought to cost the NHS £6.1bn per year, government estimates show. The drug semaglutide is currently under consultation in Scotland, with Wales expected to follow the NICE guidelines issued in England. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: “For some people losing weight is a real challenge, which is why a medicine like semaglutide is a welcome option.”It won’t be available to everyone. Our committee has made specific recommendations to ensure it remains value for money for the taxpayer.”Dr Duane Mellor, Registered Dietitian and Senior Lecturer at Aston Medical School, Aston University, said: “It is important to remember that living with a higher body weight or obesity is not a lifestyle choice, and people wanting to improve their health should be supported to do that.”It is also clear that semaglutide is not intended to be a lifestyle weight-loss product in the UK. It is to be used for the purpose of improving health.”Anyone who is offered semaglutide on the NHS will be supported by specialist weight management services, including support from a dietitian.More on this storyWeight-loss jab recommended on NHS8 February 2022Appetite drug could mark ‘new era’ in obesity11 February 2021Celebrity weight loss jab to be sold by chemists13 February

Published13 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Annabel RackhamBBC NewsThe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended eight online therapies for anxiety and depression.NICE says the therapies have the potential to help more than 40,000 people in the UK.Each therapy must come with a formal assessment from an NHS therapist in order for it to be recommended.According to NHS Digital, there is a six-week waiting list for patients who need mental health support in England.There are hopes that introducing online digital therapies could ease pressure on the NHS. The treatments can help those with depression, anxiety, PTSD and body dysmorphia and are centred on the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – a talking therapy which can help a patient manage their problems by suggesting alterations to their thought process and behaviour. The therapies have been conditionally recommended by NICE – meaning early assessments have taken place to identify promising medical technology but more evidence needs to be gathered.Some online treatments for PTSD have already been trialled by the NHS in Scotland and Wales. England mental health referrals at 4.3 million highQuarter of 17-19-year-olds may have mental disorderSarah, who was diagnosed with PTSD by a GP, trialled online therapy as part of a Cardiff University study. “I’ve been completely match-fit since I’ve done the programme,” she told the BBC.She added: “It’s given me techniques that are so useful in everyday life. In work, if I’ve got an important meeting and I feel a bit anxious, it’s taught me techniques for breathing and mindfulness.”Using a series of modules on topics related to depression, online programmes such as Beating the Blues and Deprexis offer worksheets and exercises to help people better understand their mental health problems, alongside techniques for changing their behaviour or thinking patterns.Others, such as SilverCloud, provide mindfulness tools and resources which are designed to be completed by the patient, but overseen by a mental health practitioner.Shows promiseMark Chapman, interim director of medical technology and digital evaluation at NICE, said: “Our rapid assessment of these eight technologies has shown they have promise.”Developed using tried-and-tested CBT methods, each one has demonstrated it has the potential to provide effective treatment to the many thousands of people who live with these conditions.”Using a series of trials, NICE intends to gather further information about how effective the programmes are, as well as whether they “represent good value for the NHS”, Mr Chapman added.Professor Dame Til Wykes, of the School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences at London’s King’s College, cautioned “we don’t know enough” about the effectiveness of online therapies and whether the therapies will offer sufficient support for mental health patients.Her view was echoed by mental health charity Mind, with content manager Jessica D’Cruz asserting “the majority” of people needing support “will struggle to benefit from this”.She added: “It’s also important to remember the ongoing under-funding of NHS mental health services, and the issues many services are experiencing in the wake of pressures from the pandemic and cost of living crisis.”More on this storyOnline therapy for PTSD ‘as good as’ face-to-face16 June 2022England mental health referrals at 4.3 million high15 March 2022Quarter of 17-19-year-olds may have mental disorder29 November 2022