Slimming World

Slimming World is a UK-based weight loss organisation. It holds groups around the UK, led by consultants, who are self-employed. According to the company, over the past 40 years more than five million slimmers have attended its groups.

Slimming World claims its members lose weight through a combination of its 'Food Optimising' eating plan, moderate activity through its 'Body Magic' programme and group support and shared experience with other slimmers, which encourage behaviour change.

At a group, members are weighed and their weight change is shared with the group. A member's actual weight is confidential, and is not revealed to the group. During the hour-long session, members share their experiences of the preceding week, discuss their weight losses or gains, and share ideas and strategies for the week ahead, during a session called 'IMAGE' (Individual Motivation And Group Experience) Therapy. Members share practical advice such as recipe suggestions, as well as strategies to cope with times when motivation is low.

Slimming World was founded in Derbyshire in 1969 by Margaret Miles-Bramwell, who remains its chairman. Caryl Richards has been managing director of the company since 2001.