A recent television documentary revealed a worrying trend of Obesity among adults and children in the UK.

National Audit Office figures show one in five adults to be overweight (17 per cent men, 20 per cent women) while 19 per cent of children are believed to be obese.

Obesity is now regarded as a major, rather than a contributing, risk factor for coronary heart disease and heart attacks at an early age and its association with other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes is well accepted.

Reduction in weight has enormous benefits in preventing heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. But sedentary habits such as spending hours every day in front of the television encourage obesity and losing weight can be difficult - so what can we do to help?

Many surgeries offer advice on controlling weight. Talking to a practice nurse or dietician can motivate you and also provide important information.

Children who tend to gain weight may be more introverted and be left out by their mates at school. Teachers can help by encouraging every child to participate in exercise. It may be worth checking your child's school provides healthy dinners with vegetables and fruit.

Common sense tells us limiting high- calorie foods, fats and sugars and increasing the amount of vegetables, fruits and fibre in our diet will help us lose weight. Frequent snacking on crisps, biscuits and chocolate, known as "comfort eating, usually accompanies sedentary habits but can be due to frustration, anxiety or depression. Drinking alcohol will also increase your appetite.

Celery, lettuce and cabbage are good for controlling weight. Fenugreek leaves and spinach are also very beneficial. Try toasted bread or chapattis with boiled fenugreek and spinach mixed with aubergine. Herbs such as garlic, mustard, fenugreek, ajwan, sage and basil can all help control obesity and are beneficial for your heart.

Trifala guggul, garcinia and curcumin are well-proven and established Ayurvedic herbal remedies which can help you lose weight and maintain your cholesterol, fat and glucose balance. They will help protect your heart in addition to your diet plan.

Trikatu churna, made from long pepper, ginger and black pepper, can also help balance the water and earth elements in the body and mobilise fat. Drinking natural psyllium husk and seeds in warm water before a meal fills you up and reduces the absorption of fat from the gut and also helps reduce the risk of cancer.

Burning up calories by doing appropriate exercise is also essential if you are trying to lose weight. Join a gym or exercise class or make time for a regular jog.

Dr Milind Jani works as a conventional and holistic GP and Dr Asmita Jani as Ayurvedic Consultant from 3 Eaton Gardens, Hove.

Call them on: 01273 777448 or email: milind.jani@ntlworld.com