Weight loss jabs not enough to tackle obesity, leading medics warn

Weight loss injections will not be enough to make “lasting progress” in tackling the obesity epidemic, leading medical experts have warned.

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) called on the government to ensure equitable access to weight management services across the country and stressed the importance of wraparound support to prevent individuals from regaining weight after initial loss.

The RCP also called for action to tackle the nation’s “broken food system” to help people make healthier choices, including reducing “aggressive” marketing and advertising of unhealthy food.

“Medication alone will not be enough to make meaningful and lasting progress on tackling obesity,” the College said in a new position statement, adding that the government must also tackle the “social and environmental drivers of obesity”.

“Policies should reduce aggressive marketing and advertising of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, while increasing the availability and affordability of healthy foods from an early age.

“We must tackle our broken food system and ensure it is easier for all to choose to eat healthily.”

Last week the Government pledged to “launch a moonshot to end the obesity epidemic” in its 10 Year Plan for Health.

Now the College has urged ministers to set out details and timelines of how it will deliver this commitment.

It comes as the College released a poll of members and fellows, showing that four in five (80 per cent) of almost 19,000 doctors in the UK, surveyed by the RCP, said that the number of patients they see with obesity has increased over the last five years.

The RCP warned that treatment for other illnesses is less effective as a result of obesity.

Dr Kath McCullough, special adviser on obesity for the RCP, said: “The narrative that obesity is about personal responsibility or that new medications will solve the problem is misleading.

“Obesity is a chronic illness shaped by a range of factors and influences – and it’s on the rise.

“We are seeing daily how obesity causes and makes it harder to treat conditions, from diabetes and arthritis to heart disease and cancer.

“The NHS 10 Year Plan rightly sets out a suite of measures that can be used in the fight against obesity, but the armoury is far from complete.

“Weight loss drugs can be part of the solution for some patients, but our efforts must focus on preventing people developing obesity and overweight in the first place.

“We welcome the measures Government announced last week – they have great potential. We look forward to seeing the detail on how we will translate that ambition into reality.”

RCP president Dr Mumtaz Patel said: “Doctors are telling us loud and clear about the scale and impacts of obesity. It is undermining treatment, driving up complications and placing additional pressure on an already overwhelmed NHS.

“In less affluent communities, we’re watching obesity fuel a vicious cycle – people are getting sicker, their care becomes harder to deliver and the system just can’t catch up.

“We welcome steps the Government is taking. No few individual measures will be enough. It is a complex problem that requires multifaceted solutions.

“We need bold, joined-up preventative action that tackles the genetic, social, economic and commercial factors that drive obesity.”

Around 29 per cent of adults in the UK are obese, and an estimated 1.5 million are taking weight loss jabs in the UK.

Inside Wiegman’s gameplan to save England from Euro 2025 embarrassment

When the England players got back into the dressing room after Saturday’s defeat to France, they were very quiet, until Sarina Wiegman felt she had to do more than say the right words. She had to deliver the right message. “We win on Wednesday,” she said.

England, of course, must win on Wednesday, as they will already be out of Euro 2025 if they suffer defeat and a draw leaves their fate out of their hands. Yet, as simple as that message was, and as simplistic as the idea might sound, the words have worked.

England feel in a much better “headspace” ahead of what is essentially a knockout match against the Netherlands in Zurich. The direct football that they played in the final minutes of the France game has offered a sense of clarity. It’s brought a focus, where there was previously uncertainty.

Insiders state that Wiegman’s squad were much more nervous before the France match than they had let on. As defending champions, they felt a new pressure, with that compounded by how it wasn’t really the same team. They weren’t certain of how they were going to play, and training sessions in the build-up hadn’t been smooth.

Then, the worst happened. England weren’t just beaten by France, but often looked a shambles. The tactics, with Lauren James at the top of midfield, didn’t work.

At full time, England came into the dressing room extremely agitated, which was why Wiegman’s message was effective. A line was drawn, and the challenge was made clear. It’s win or bust, and the first ever women’s European champions to go out in the group stage.

Wiegman, of course, hasn’t been playing up any of that. “We don’t talk about consequences,” the England manager said. “We talk about our game plan.”

Training has been more focused, but not due to any sense of panic. Alessia Russo spoke of how they are more “chilled”.

Beside her, Wiegman was in conspicuously good form at the pre-match press conference in Zurich’s Stadion Letzigrund, laughing a lot. You wouldn’t have thought this was a manager facing up to unprecedented first-round humiliation.

That’s just as well, because this match has so many strands and stakes beyond the finality of the circumstances. Wiegman even joked about whether she should speak Dutch, which is of course one of the main narratives.

If the England manager is obviously far too accomplished a coach to even ask about whether her nationality will come into it – “it won’t”, she said – that isn’t the case for everyone else.

The Dutch are really up for this, their motivation made all the more intense by how intertwined the two football countries are and the noise being made around the entire campaign. “For many players, it’s a very special game,” Dutch star Vivianne Miedema said.

It aggravates some in their camp that Wiegman left for what could be perceived as a “bigger job”. You’d wonder what current Dutch coach, Andries Jonker, thinks of that. He’d no doubt tell you if asked, given that he has already turned the Netherlands Euros into his own personal theatre by rounding on critics.

Wiegman’s deadpan description was that he is “more emotional” than her. The usual term would be “irascible”. Only adding further edge to this is that Jonker was an influential figure in Wiegman’s development as a coach, but his contract is not being renewed after Euro 2025, and he is set to be replaced by one of the England manager’s own proteges. That is Wiegman’s current assistant, Arjan Veurink.

Some close to the England camp even believe a bigger discussion is warranted about how the Football Association (FA) could be criticised for providing a pathway for Dutch coaches rather than their own, especially given the paucity of prospective candidates for the job.

That discussion might have taken place had England won on Saturday. Instead, the possibility of their elimination has only complemented other connections and storylines. Miedema was naturally asked about taking on her partner, Beth Mead. They’ve faced each other before but not like this.

“We both know what we’re going through,” Miedema said. “I will do everything possible to win the game.”

Miedema pointed to how she is one of numerous Dutch players with many friends in the England team, having joined Manchester City from Arsenal, with the added twist that she then saw them win the Champions League.

Jonker, typically, put it bluntly. “You don’t want to hurt your friends… but this is a fact. In football, you have to play against each other and you want to win.”

It’s maybe just as well the stakes are so clear. The players would otherwise have a lot swirling around their heads.

And that’s before you even get to the idea that they are again playing for the healthy future of the women’s game itself. For all the progress of the last three years – mostly driven by this English squad – viewing figures are down and the game is facing new financial difficulties.

Even Euro 2022 was a slow burn that steadily grew with the public. It’s been similar here, especially with the sheer amount of sport on at the moment, from Wimbledon to the Lions. By contrast, the Euro 2025 knockout stages will almost have a window to themselves, making it all the more imperative to get there.

Georgia Stanway did mention “remembering that we’re playing for the little girl that wanted to be here” but that inspirational thought is just about all they need in their heads right now from that kind of thinking. Wiegman knows they don’t even need the stakes of the game in their heads.

“The outcome of course has consequences but that was the same in the finals of the Euros and World Cup. So we talk about how we do what we want to do.”

Russo revealed that the squad have had conversations about “playing without fear”. That makes clarity of play all the more important, which is why the final minutes of the 2-1 defeat to France may be influential.

England went back to a direct style, and they suddenly began to play with speed, and intent. It was the one time they looked like themselves. That perhaps explains Stanway’s comment about “wanting to be ‘proper England’… back to what we’re good at”.

Except, the Dutch are very different to France. If Wiegman does not go with exactly the same formation, there is an argument that the approach from that game is better suited to this match.

England need to be on the ball more, but not get panicked when the Netherlands have it. Opposition players who have faced Jonker’s side have noticed how they get frustrated when facing a low-mid block.

Wiegman also conspicuously mentioned, “how we can exploit spaces the Netherlands leave behind”. She has long had a game plan for this match, for obvious reasons. “We have bounced back before,” Russo said. “I think everyone’s ready.” England, however, need more than words.

Trump ‘flat-footed’ by Pentagon’s weapons halt to Ukraine as he pledges more arms

Donald Trump was caught off-guard by the Pentagon’s decision to announce a pause in some weapons deliveries last week to Ukraine, three people aware of the situation have said.

One of the people described Trump, who privately expressed frustration with Pentagon officials, as being caught “flat footed” by the announcement.

The Trump administration is in the eye of a storm after the Pentagon announced last week that it would hold back some air defence missiles, precision-guided artillery and other weapons pledged to Ukraine because of concerns that American stockpiles were running short on supply.

Reports emerged that US defence secretary Pete Hegseth did not tell the White House before pausing those weapons shipments, but the Pentagon denied that Hegseth acted without consulting the president.

Trump made a U-turn on Monday and said the US will have to send more weapons to Ukraine, effectively reversing the move, as he showed signs of growing frustration with the Russian leader.

In a televised meeting of top officials, Mr Trump said: “We get a lot of bull**** thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless”.

‘I will not go quietly’: Gregg Wallace slams BBC after being sacked over Masterchef claims

Gregg Wallace has launched a tirade against the BBC after being fired following a MasterChef misconduct investigation, in which he was “found guilty of inappropriate language.”

It comes as 50 more people have approached the BBC with new claims about the TV presenter, including allegations he groped one MasterChef worker. Wallace denies the claims.

The presenter, 60, released a lengthy statement on Instagram on Tuesday claiming he has been axed by the broadcaster, where he has worked for the past 21 years, after a six-month investigation into his on-set behaviour.

A BBC spokesperson told The Independent: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”

However, Wallace said he has decided to share the findings prematurely after allegedly being “exonerated of all the serious allegations which made headlines last year”.

Wallace nevertheless “apologised without reservation” for the language he was found “primarily guilty of”, stating: “I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate.”

Later in his post, Wallace said he had recently been diagnosed with autism.

The presenter ranted about the BBC’s decision to fire him, saying he “does not take it lightly” after “21 years of loyal service”.

“I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others,” he wrote.

“I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me.

“The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”

The Independent understands that the BBC cannot fire Wallace as it does not employ him.

Wallace further accused the BBC of “peddling baseless and sensationalised gossip masquerading as properly corroborated stories”.

“I was hired by the BBC and MasterChef as the cheeky greengrocer. A real person with warmth, character, rough edges and all. For over two decades, that authenticity was part of the brand.

“Now, in a sanitised world, that same personality is seen as a problem.”

“My neurodiversity, now formally diagnosed as autism, was suspected and discussed by colleagues across countless seasons of MasterChef.”

He concluded his lengthy statement by vowing to “not go quietly”.

“I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest.”

Wallace stepped away from hosting the BBC cooking competition after a host of historical complaints came to light last year, which led to an external investigation by the show’s production company Banijay UK.

Wallace, 60, has hosted the BBC cooking show alongside John Torode since 2005 and has also fronted other programmes including Inside the Factory, Big Weekends Away and Supermarket Secrets.

In late 2024, it was reported that the BBC had been made aware of complaints as far back as 2017, while it was claimed that a letter had been sent to the broadcaster in 2022 stating that women had been made to feel “uncomfortable” in the 60-year-old’s presence.

The MasterChef presenter has faced a string of allegations, including of making “inappropriate sexual jokes”, asking for the phone numbers of female members of production staff, and undressing in front of and standing “too close” to women working on his shows.

Kirstie Allsopp alleged Wallace once made a comment to her about his sex life, which left her “so embarrassed” she thought she “might cry”.

The Sunday Times reported that BBC executive Kate Phillips raised concerns that Wallace’s behaviour was “unacceptable and cannot continue” after broadcaster and former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir complained about inappropriate comments during filming.

The newspaper claimed Wallace received another warning the following year after a complaint was raised about his behaviour on the quiz show Impossible Celebrities.

The Sunday Telegraph reported producer Georgia Harding, who worked on MasterChef between 2014 and 2015 and later Eat Well For Less, claimed she raised concerns about “inappropriate” behaviour from him while working on the show.

She alleged the presenter undressed in front of colleagues and “made inappropriate sexual jokes” in front of the crew and people appearing on the shows.

The former greengrocer was also accused of making lewd comments and asking for the personal phone numbers of female production staff in a letter that Dawn Elrick, a producer and director, claimed to have sent to the BBC in 2022.

Elrick told the Observer, the letter had been submitted with the support of industry union Bectu, and added she also submitted the allegations to the corporation via Navex Global, an external whistleblowing service.

Allegations were also raised by staff members about Wallace’s behaviour on Channel 5’s Gregg Wallace’s Big Weekends to BBC News.

He also faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News.

I’m a personal trainer – this is the truth about weight-loss jabs

As a personal trainer, it’s frightening to see weight-loss injections on our social media pages, in the headlines and in hush-hush conversations at gyms across the country. More 1.5 million people in the UK now use them, according to the latest estimates. For some, weight-loss injections can offer a lifeline, but for many, they are just so confusing. After 22 years of helping people lose weight and take back control of their health, without medication, I feel it’s time I added my voice to the discussion.

I certainly don’t hide away from the fact that my weight has always been something I’m hugely conscious of and something that I have struggled with over the years. The childhood trauma brought on by bullying for being “the fat kid” still haunts me and that inspired me to do what I do to this day.

When I was 15, I started to become more self-conscious about my size. I knew something needed to change, so I took small steps to eat better and move more. Rugby, in particular, became my outlet and it not only helped me physically but also taught me the power of perseverance.

There’s no greater feeling than proving others wrong through hard work and dedication. That’s been my life motto, and it’s shaped everything I do. Losing weight was a personal victory for me, but the real reward came when I could use my own journey to help others find their strength and confidence too.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a battle. But it’s a battle worth fighting, especially with my family’s history of strokes and heart disease. It’s something I carry with me every day, driving me to make healthier choices for myself and inspiring others to do the same.

So when talk of a jab that essentially helps you lose weight began, I could hear the chunky young lad inside of me whispering “this could have stopped years of bullying”.

But while these jabs might look like a miracle on the outside, I’ve seen too much to believe that’s the whole story. I’m not naive enough to say it’s impossible, but I can confidently say that none of my current team have ever considered using a weight-loss jab. The relationships we’ve built in this studio are rooted in trust. My clients know they can be open with me, and more importantly, they know that when they walk through our doors, we’re focused on sustainable lifestyle changes, diet, movement, and mindset, not shortcuts.

I’m not sure every personal trainer will agree with me when I say that I’m not 100 per cent against them. If someone is severely obese and facing serious health risks, and this helps them avoid surgery, I can see where the potential value in a (closely monitored) jab lies.

I train many incredible nurses who work within the NHS. Over the last five years, these nurses have told me the increase in obesity-led health issues has risen exponentially. The strain on the NHS is incredibly real. So if the potential to cut obesity leads to a reduction in waiting lists (and not just for obesity-led issues), then again, of course, there is a value for these drugs.

As a personal trainer, I understand that many people think we’re all about aesthetics with our clients, but that’s not true. I’ve seen obesity wreck people physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s not just “extra weight” – it’s the raft of potentially life-changing and threatening issues that can follow.

There are numerous health risks linked to obesity. From increased risks of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, to infertility and pregnancy complications, not to mention the impact being overweight can have on your mental health, with links to depression, anxiety and social isolation.

I’ve witnessed first-hand the incredible impact that losing weight can have on someone’s energy levels and confidence. It’s nothing short of life-changing. When someone starts shedding the weight, they often experience a newfound sense of vitality, both physically and mentally. Their energy levels soar, allowing them to be more active, more present, and more engaged in everyday life.

They start to feel more comfortable in their own skin, and that confidence radiates outward, positively affecting every aspect of their life from their relationships and career to their overall outlook on the world. It’s truly transformative, and I’ve seen it time and time again.

So, if someone offers a jab that promises a guaranteed fix, I can totally understand how tempting it would be. A young, naive and green version of myself would have thought wow! But as with everything in life, nothing is ever that simple or straightforward.

In June, I asked 31 members at my studio to share their progress. These are real people, men and women, young and old, with busy lives and real struggles. Collectively, they’ve lost over 1,200lbs. No drugs. No injections. Just education, support, consistency, and graft.

They didn’t just lose inches either. By putting in the work, they became stronger, fitter and ultimately understood the real benefit of a consistent and sustainable lifestyle change. They started showing up differently in every part of their lives. Their energy levels and productivity at work rose, their moods lifted and more importantly, many issues with health improved dramatically. High blood pressure lowered, pre-diabetes was reversed and all without a “miracle jab”.

The idea that you can lose weight without exercising could lead more people to think they don’t need to move anymore. And it’s this shift in mindset that concerns me, especially when we see photos of people who’ve used these jabs and notice things like a gaunt or hollow face. Sure, rapid weight loss can cause these effects, but it’s hard to say for sure whether it’s from the jab or just the pace of the weight loss itself.

In any weight-loss journey, whether through diet, exercise, or medication, some muscle loss is pretty common. But these jabs work by mimicking a hormone that controls appetite, which helps you eat less and lose weight. The downside is that this rapid weight loss doesn’t just target fat; it can also take away lean muscle mass.

Muscle is critical for strength, mobility, and metabolism. Losing too much muscle can make it harder to maintain your weight loss long term and even lead to conditions like sarcopenia, where muscle mass and function decrease, affecting your quality of life. To minimise muscle loss, it’s important to focus on getting enough protein and incorporating strength training into your routine. Protein helps your muscles recover and grow, while strength training helps preserve the muscle mass you’ve got. It’s also important to eat. You can’t just stop – essential nutrients will be missing from your diet. That’s not healthy.

Whether someone uses medication or not doesn’t change my job. I’m here to guide. To support. That part is important. To help them build habits that actually last long term. That is the battle. But these jabs won’t educate you in the fundamentals of nutrition. The real basics. Nor will it help you deal with why you eat when you’re not hungry or make you stronger or more body confident.

That for me is a very dangerous message. Especially for the younger generation. If they grow up thinking health comes in a syringe, what happens when that wears off or you can’t afford the jab anymore? In recent studies on weight-loss injections, it has been found that a staggering 60 per cent of the weight lost is regained within the first three months. This concerning statistic highlights a critical point: injections alone aren’t a sustainable solution for long-term weight management.

The reason for this is straightforward but crucial many individuals using the injections fail to understand that weight loss is a multifaceted process that requires a combination of factors to be effective over time. If people use these drugs as a quick fix without understanding the basic changes that have to be made, are we going to simply accept that people will be on these drugs for a lifetime?

These drugs are not without side effects either. From nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases, gallbladder issues, to kidney problems and pancreatic inflammation. That could be a hefty trade-off, especially if the results aren’t lasting.

My main issue is that many users tend to rely solely on the jab for results, without integrating consistent physical activity and making lasting changes to their eating habits. While the injections can help reduce hunger or regulate metabolism, they don’t address the root cause of poor dietary choices or sedentary lifestyles.

Use of these injections doesn’t automatically correct the underlying patterns that contributed to weight gain in the first place. Without engaging in regular exercise, which is essential for building muscle and maintaining long-term fat loss, the body is more likely to return to its previous weight once the treatment is halted. Falling back into old eating habits, consuming high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, or overeating will quickly negate any positive effect of these injections, causing the weight to creep back on.

The injections might act as a catalyst, but lasting weight loss requires a complete, holistic approach that focuses on building healthier habits and making lasting changes to the way we live, eat and move. I often tell my clients, if nothing changes, nothing will change. So if nothing else has changed with your mindset around food and movement, the chances are the weight will come back. Fast.

The best we can hope for is that these weight-loss injections will help people feel more confident about getting into the gym or trying out new sports. For many, shedding some pounds can make a huge difference in how they feel about themselves and their abilities. They might feel more physically capable or just more comfortable in their own skin, which makes things like exercising or being active in public feel a lot more achievable. If someone understands it’s not just about the number on the scales, it’s about feeling empowered to try things they might have once thought were out of reach, then we should applaud the first step toward a more active, healthier lifestyle.

That’s why I believe these medications should be used only when truly necessary and always alongside education, lifestyle change, and real support. And should never be used as a replacement for the work that actually transforms people’s lives.

As a society, we can’t just keep looking for quick fixes. We need to focus on building a culture that supports healthy habits. That means doctors using lifestyle prescriptions more, encouraging more movement, and schools and community programmes teaching people about nutrition and how to cook cheap and healthy meals. The government also has a role to play too, by resisting “big food” influence and reducing access to unhealthy, sugary, processed foods and tackling “food deserts” in many poorer areas. It’s all about creating a positive environment that makes it easier for all people to live healthier, active lives.

I’ve been fortunate enough to see many lifestyle changes that are kept and held on to. There is nothing more satisfying than that.

How Macmillan Cancer Support built a movement that reaches everyone

Texas floods death toll surpasses 100 with 160 still missing

The death toll from the Texas flooding disaster reached at least 111 victims, though 173 are still known to be missing, state governor Greg Abbott said.

“Know this: we will not stop until every missing person is accounted for,” he told reporters at a press conference. “There could very likely be more people added to the list.”

The majority of the flooding victims were killed in Kerr County after the Guadalupe River rose almost 24 feet in under an hour early on 4 July, carrying off vehicles, RVs and lifting buildings from their foundations.

Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp on the riverbank, confirmed 27 girls and staff members had been killed, with five campers and one counselor still missing. Hundreds of emergency responders continued to search through debris with the flood’s footprint stretching more than 100km.

The Texas Department of State Health Services had signed off on the youth camp’s emergency plans just two days before the disaster struck the camp, ABC News reported. A 2 July inspection report indicates the camp had emergency plans “in case of a disaster” in place and that staff and volunteers were briefed during training sessions.

Most Canadians now see US as ‘greatest threat’ to their country

Most Canadians now see the United States as the “greatest threat” to their country, a survey has revealed.

The Pew Research Center found 59 percent of Canadians think the U.S. is their country’s greatest threat, above Russia, North Korea and Iran. But 55 percent of Canadians view the U.S as their country’s “most important ally.”

The data was collected from January 8 to April 26 and the poll surveyed 28,333 people in 25 nations around the world.

President Donald Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canada in February and has suggested making Canada the “51st State” since before he took office.

A majority of Mexicans, 68 percent, also see the U.S. as their country’s greatest threat, while 37 percent see it as their country’s most important ally.

Trump railed against both Mexico and Canada when he was president-elect, claiming the two countries had allowed thousands of people to enter the U.S. illegally and sparking a tariff war.

A significant number of people from Indonesia, 40 percent, South Africa, 35 percent, and Turkey, 30 percent, also see the U.S. as the greatest global threat to their countries.

But there are several countries whose people, for the most part, see the U.S. as a crucial ally.

An overwhelming majority of Israelis, 95 percent, South Koreans, 89 percent, and Japanese people, 78 percent, see the U.S. as their country’s most important ally.

In Europe, 51 percent of people from the United Kingdom, 43 percent of Polish people and 42 percent of Italians also see the U.S. as their country’s most important ally.

Two of America’s biggest adversaries, Russia and China, are also seen as a critical threat around the world.

Russia is seen as the greatest threat to Poland by 81 percent of its population, to Sweden by 77 percent of its population and to Germany by 59 percent of its population.

A total of 52 percent of Australians, 53 percent of Japanese people and 42 percent of Americans see China as the greatest threat to their country.