A SLIMMING consultant from Wirral has shared the findings of a survey that reveals more than three-quarters of adults who are unhappy with their weight have 'a real GP phobia' and often feel nervous ahead of visiting their doctor.

The survey of 2,003 UK adults, commissioned by the UK and Ireland’s largest weight management organisation Slimming World, showed 87% of people who are unhappy with their weight and feel nervous ahead of visiting the doctor suffer physical reactions often associated with phobias, such as anxiety (56%), needing the toilet (25%), sweating (22%), nausea (15%) and even shaking (13%) ahead of visiting their doctor.

Among them was Pat Taylor, from Ellesmere Port, who says she felt embarrassed to go and see her GP before she lost over 5 1/2 stones with Slimming World and transformed her health. Pat said: “Everything was always related back to my weight, which often would stop me going to get checked out, putting my health at risk.

"Thankfully I feel healthier and happier now and don’t give my weight a second thought when I need to go and get checked out."

Chris Robinson, who runs Slimming World groups in Irby and Ellesmere Port, said: "For many people who are unhappy with their weight, visiting the doctors can be daunting, and with excess weight being linked to a range of serious health conditions the idea that people are actively avoiding getting their health checked or seeking help is a concern.

“Anne who has lost four stones due to be told she needed to get her BMI below 40 for surgery is another inspiration and it’s been a privilege to watch her grow in confidence and succeed in reaching her weight-loss goals, as since been improved and awaiting a date for the much needed operation, which will help improve her quality of life."

Losing weight can not only improve someone’s health and risk factors for a number of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and type-2 diabetes, the survey shows it can also make a big difference to this urge to dodge the doctors.

A corresponding survey of Slimming World members in the UK and Ireland found that 60% of them feel no nerves ahead of visiting the doctor since losing weight, with more than a third (35%) now actually feeling confident when visiting their doctor. More than three-quarters (77%) say that since joining Slimming World their health has improved.

Carolyn Pallister, registered dietitian and head of nutrition, research and health at Slimming World, said: "People living with overweight and obesity need care, compassion and support, and not to feel stigmatised about their weight.

"We know that a weight-related conversation between a health professional and a patient, when effective, can lead to life-changing results.

"That's why we are encouraging the government to commit to training for all healthcare professionals to enable sensitive and skilled conversations about weight, as we know they want to support their patients to lead healthier lives, they just need the right tools to do that.

"The training must address the psychological as well as physiological impact of weight on health.

"From our 55 years’ experience, we know that it's when people are being treated respectfully, with kindness and understanding, that they're more likely to make the lifestyle and behaviour changes needed for them to lose weight."

To join a Slimming World group near you, search for your local group via the website