Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Rihanna - Interview 34

Rihanna suffers from high cholesterol and is very aware of the need to lose weight and do more exercise. Her medical condition is called hyperlipidemia. She goes to hospital every three months and takes statins every day. She also sees a dietician. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Background

    See ‘brief outline’.

  • Age at interview 13
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Naz - Interview 35

    Three months ago Naz joined a community-based weight management programme; SHINE. She says that this programme has provided her with important information and knowledge about healthy eating and healthy lifestyle. She has started to lose weight and feels more confident. She is going to study fashion design and photography. Ethnic background: Pakistani.

  • Background

    See ‘brief outline’.

  • Age at interview 17
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Sam - Interview 23

    Severe bullying at school led Sam to frequently hide in the boys toilets at school and comfort ate to cope with the depression and anxiety he felt at the time. He developed bulimia. Sam is the founder of the website 'Men Get Eating Disorders Too' aim to raise awareness of the plight of young men facing an eating disorder. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Background

    See ‘brief outline’.

  • Age at interview 23
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Sean - Interview 37

    Sean said that he needs to lose weight and after searching the web for information he started a training routine that consists of running and cardio exercises. He tries to do it four times a week. Sean thinks that the NHS needs to do more to help overweight young people like him to get the advice and help they need to lose weight. Ethnic background: Black Caribbean.

  • Background

    See ‘brief outline’.

  • Age at interview 20
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Charles - Interview 38

    Charles is the father of 14 year old Daniel. Daniel was diagnosed with kidney problems before he was born, and has been gaining weight since he was 3 years old, even though he plays lots of sports. Daniel was recently referred to an obesity clinic.

  • Background

    Charles is the father of 14 year old Daniel. Daniel was diagnosed with kidney problems before he was born, and has been gaining weight since he was 3 years old.

  • Age at interview 44
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Dee - Interview 39

    Dee is the mother of 20 year old Alicia. Dee partly blames herself for not taking control of Alicia's appetite or giving her smaller portions. She says that Alicia feels people should just accept her for who she is.

  • Background

    Dee is a Careers advisor and mother of one child aged 20. Ethnic background: Black British.

  • Age at interview 47
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Parul - Interview 40

    Parul is the mother of 17 year old Kiran. Kiran was diagnosed with EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) aged 11. Parul says she has received little support from services.

  • Background

    Parul is a divorced mother of one child aged 17. Ethnic background: Indian.

  • Age at interview 50
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Sue - Interview 41

    Sue, mother of 12 year old Alex, thinks that Alex would benefit from losing weight and that something must be done now, but is reluctant to make too much of an issue out of it. Instead, she is making more time for Alex and for them to exercise together.

  • Background

    Sue is separated and a mother of 2 children aged 12 and 15. Ethnic background: White European.

  • Age at interview 45
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Mary - Interview 42

    Mary is the mother of 13 year old Kevin - who recently lost a lot of weight on a weight management programme - and 16 year old Sarah who developed anorexia aged 14, but has now recovered.

  • Background

    Mary is a married mother of three children aged 13, 16 and 17.

  • Age at interview 49
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Sara - Interview 43

    Sara is the mother of Josie, 15. She believes it's important to feel happy in your body and while she wants to help her daughter to learn to control her appetite, she also wants to help her accept and be happy about her curves.

  • Background

    Sara is a self-employed gardener and a married mother of three children aged 6, 13 and 15. Ethnic background: White.

  • Age at interview 47
  • Sex/Gender Female