A third of people in the UK feel less socially connected than they did before the pandemic and it’s having a dramatic impact on their weight.

That is according to a recent survey by Slimming World which found that half of adults in the UK socialise less now than they did before lockdown.

Some have shed hundreds of pounds when denied the opportunity to eat or drink socially.

Dramatic weight loss

Heather Peacock managed to drop 20 dress sizes by making changes to her lifestyle.

"It's actually coming up to my three-year anniversary at Slimming World because I originally joined in the last week of September 2019, but I've now lost 21 stone, 3 pounds", she told Newstalk.

The survey also found that 31% of people have found it more difficult to manage their weight, with 12% of those stating it was much more difficult.

Of those surveyed, more than one in three reported that they had gained weight over the course of the past two years, compared to 19% who had lost weight.

Fad diets

Slimming World Head of Research and Scientific Affairs Dr Jacquie Lavin gave her advice for shedding the pounds off now.

"A faddy diet was something that maybe you can cope with for for a few weeks but then you won't be able to cope with it."

"It's too much counting and too much restriction. You're feeling too hungry and you'll guarantee you'll go back to your old way of eating and you will gain weight", she explained.

"So it's got to be something that is flexible, that you can tailor to your lifestyle, and that is realistic and practical."

Main image shows a woman standing on scale.