Forget about being fat and just get fit!

Researchers in Britain say that obese people can become healthier without losing weight.

The researchers from Leeds Metropolitan University and the University of Hull, say women who are clinically obese don't need to diet to improve their health, they just need to become more active.

The team produced a programme which encouraged women not to diet but to take part in exercise classes and also taught them about good eating habits, such as how to cook, and they also provided them with social support.

The researchers found within a year all the women showed significant improvements in health and mental well-being and although they had only lost a little weight they were significantly fitter and happier with themselves.

The team say a healthy lifestyle can improve health risks regardless of weight.

For the study 62 women aged 24 to 55 years, all with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30, which is classed as clinically obese, took part in four hours a week of exercise, such as Tai Chi, aqua aerobics or circuit classes.

The programme also included educational sessions to teach them how to read food labels and cook food, and behavioural therapy to help the women respond to body cues such as hunger and feeling full.

One of the exercises used by the dietician encouraged the participants to eat a chocolate bar in small portions over the course of a week.

The women were encouraged not to diet and to eat whatever they wanted in moderation.

Even though the women only lost a small amount of weight, they were significantly fitter and blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol fell and respiratory fitness improved.

The women also felt better in terms of general well-being, body image, self-perception and stress.

Dr. Erika Borkoles, an exercise psychologist at Leeds Metropolitan University says health professionals needed to shift their focus from weight loss to helping people become healthier.

Dr. Borkoles says it is important people are not set up to fail and she suggests that obese and overweight people should be advised to change the way they eat rather than go on a diet.

The programme, which was set up with Leeds City Council was sustainable as the women were taught skills which meant they could take part in exercise classes and they were given discounts to encourage them to continue with physical activity after the 12-month project finished.

Borkoles says people of all sizes and shapes can reduce their risk of poor health by adopting a healthier lifestyle and it is possible to be fat and fit and restrictive diets do not work.

Next year the researchers will be measuring the progress of the women four years after the initial intervention.