It gives me enormous pride to share the findings from our 2025 weight loss research study with you.
Weight and body image have been personal struggles for me for much of my life. I have lived with body dysmorphia and weight struggles, and I understand, deeply, how complex and emotional this journey can be. Many of us joke that "just looking at a cake makes us gain weight," or that "a minute on the lips is a lifetime on the hips." For those who struggle with weight, these jokes often carry an uncomfortable truth.
For years, people have been told that weight gain is simply about willpower. But we now know that this is not the case. In a landmark step, NICE has officially recognised obesity as a chronic disease. This matters. It means that if you have tried repeatedly to lose weight through diet and exercise, only to see minimal results or rapid regain, it is not a personal failure. It is one of so many factors: biology, hormones, metabolism, and health conditions working against you.
Every person who starts weight loss treatment with us is asked a simple but important question:
"Why do you want to lose weight?"
The aggregated, anonymised answers form the foundation of this study, and they tell a very powerful story.
The most common reason for wanting to lose weight was not vanity; it was confidence.
People told us they wanted:
This reinforces what we already know clinically: weight has a profound impact on self-esteem, identity, and mental well-being.
The second largest group wanted to lose weight to improve how they move and live day to day.
These individuals reported:
This highlights how excess weight can limit independence and enjoyment of everyday life. Research comparing people of different weight statuses consistently finds that higher body mass index (BMI) correlates with lower health-related quality of life. This includes broader impacts beyond physical function, such as reduced ability to participate in social activities, limitations in self-care, and more frequent problems with pain and daily activities. Women in particular show larger proportional decreases in mobility and overall quality of life measures when living with obesity.
(Ref: The association of body mass index and health-related quality of life in the general population)
Many people were motivated by a desire to improve or protect their health.
Common concerns included:
These individuals were taking a proactive approach to their long-term health, not simply focusing on the number on the scales.
Some people cited specific life moments as motivation, including:
People choose weight loss treatment for four main reasons:
As we move into 2026, TribElle is committed to expanding safe, accessible, and clinically responsible weight loss care.
Our goals include:
Weight loss treatment should never feel rushed, judged, or unsafe. It should feel supported, informed, and empowering.
This study reinforces why TribElle exists.
People don't seek weight loss support because they are lazy or vain; they do so because they want to live healthier, more confident, more comfortable lives.
As Clinical Director, I am incredibly proud of the trust our patients place in us. In 2026, we will continue to honour that trust by providing care that is ethical, compassionate, and grounded in real data.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.