OptiBiotix Health has called for the weight management sector to deliver “science-driven and sustainable solutions” against the global obesity epidemic.
The call for a united front comes from the an NHS Digital report which found more than one million hospital admissions in England were for obesity-related treatments in the year leading into the global pandemic.
According to Public Health England, individuals with a BMI between 35 and 40 could increase their chances of death from COVID-19 by 40%. These findings, together with growing scientific evidence that suggests excess weight can increase the risk of serious illness and ICU admission, means consumers are proactively looking for weight management products that transform their metabolic health to deliver sustained results.
Research from analysis firm, IGD, indicates 83% of UK consumers altered how they planned, purchased and prepared their food during the first national lockdown, with more than half of those surveyed saying they ate more fruit and vegetables during this period.
In the US, 60% of Americans are now cooking at home more, 32% are snacking more and up to 33% of parents have reported they are more likely to eat when they feel emotional – according to the International Food Information Council’s 2020 Food & Health Survey.
Stephen O’Hara, CEO at OptiBiotix, said: “This change in consumer eating habits is encouraging, especially in the UK and Europe. However, it’s clear that more needs to be done by the food, drink and nutraceutical industries to combat the global obesity epidemic. This means supporting consumers by providing scientifically and clinically proven functional ingredients and products, which reduce hunger and food cravings. Consumers can then manage the amount and type of food they eat as part of a change in lifestyle to deliver weight loss that is sustainable.
“At OptiBiotix, we are continuing to research how a scientific approach to weight loss could help reduce obesity-related outcomes. Our latest study, conducted by the University of Roehampton, highlighted that our multi-award-winning weight management ingredient, SlimBiome can be used as part of a calorie-controlled diet to reduce body weight, body fat, waist and hip circumference, as well as cravings for sweet and savoury foods with statistical significance in obese female adults.”
The human intervention study, which was done with 12 obese and overweight women between 18-65 years old, explored the effect SlimBiome had on weight loss, satiety, mood and gut microbiota. By following a 1,500 calorie restricted diet plan using nutritionally diverse foods, including the company’s consumer GoFigure meal replacement shakes and flapjacks, the results reportedly indicated the supplement could support consumer weight loss goals.
