0:00:03 > 0:00:05# I got this feeling on a summer day when you were gone
0:00:05 > 0:00:07# I crashed my car into the bridge
0:00:07 > 0:00:08# I watched, I let it burn... #
0:00:08 > 0:00:13We all know that drinking, drugs and fast food are bad for you..
0:00:13 > 0:00:16The bit that I like the most is the skin.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18..but when it comes to young Brits,
0:00:18 > 0:00:20nothing gets in the way of a good time.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Do you think you're invincible Oh, aye, yeah!
0:00:24 > 0:00:26My motto is, you only live once
0:00:26 > 0:00:30There are health consequences, but... Worry about them later!
0:00:31 > 0:00:35Why dwell on something you may not get? Who cares?
0:00:35 > 0:00:37# I don't care
0:00:37 > 0:00:38# I love it... #
0:00:38 > 0:00:42But, these days, a life of excess isn't just leaving young
0:00:42 > 0:00:46people hungover, it's accelerating their age.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48I can't even walk t'shop.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51You know, like a 90-year-old woman or summat.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Hit by chronic conditions usually the preserve of pensioners...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56She's got no quality of life at the moment.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Walking for her is a problem.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02..their young bodies and minds are ready for retirement.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05I'll always walk into a room to go and get something
0:01:05 > 0:01:08and then wonder why I've gone and done it. It makes you feel old.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10It makes you feel, "What's going on?"
0:01:10 > 0:01:12I'm on a ward with people who are 40 years older than me
0:01:12 > 0:01:14and probably are fitter than me
0:01:14 > 0:01:17You know, I struggle to walk properly.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20That young person mentality of "I'm going to live for ever."
0:01:20 > 0:01:24You don't think of the ramifications it's going to have on your body
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Is there any hope for their prematurely old bodies...
0:01:27 > 0:01:30# I love it! #
0:01:30 > 0:01:34I didn't even think that I could damage my heart through taking drugs.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Deep breath, right in, right in
0:01:37 > 0:01:40My lungs feel like they're actually collapsing.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42They have got the lungs of an old man.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47..or are they past the point of no return?
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Having to cope with gout and liver
0:01:49 > 0:01:55and heart problems in your 20s is kind of unbelievable.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58She's very young. She has already gone into super-obesity.
0:01:58 > 0:02:05The likelihood is it will shorten her life 15 years.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08become old before their time.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Do you think you can stop? Yeah
0:02:10 > 0:02:13It's just going to take a hell of a lot of willpower.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17# I love it. #
0:02:25 > 0:02:28In tonight's film, I'm going to meet young people whose bodies
0:02:28 > 0:02:31have aged because of their excessive eating.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35I was eating enough for myself and somebody else.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38If I don't do something quick about my weight, I could die.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I'll discover how they got so out of shape
0:02:42 > 0:02:45and the chronic conditions that have hit them 30 years too soon.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47They will get arthritis,
0:02:47 > 0:02:51type 2 diabetes, liver disease, at a much younger age.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54That genuinely petrifies me,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56the fact that I will die of a heart attack.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58And I'm going to see them
0:02:58 > 0:03:03undergo radical surgery to save both their youth and their lives.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05They are sewing...
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Her bowel is being cut under her stomach.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12And it is...really gross.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Clair is a 30-year-old mum-of-two from Telford whose size is
0:03:24 > 0:03:27fast-forwarding her to an early grave.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Clair was never a skinny child
0:03:34 > 0:03:37but a combination of steroids after a bout of pneumonia
0:03:37 > 0:03:41and the stress of divorce have seen her balloon to 20 stone.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44# You never wanna see me like this... #
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Clair now has all manner of obesity-related illnesses
0:03:50 > 0:03:54and is on more medication than your average OAP.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58It feels as though I spend half of my day taking medication.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02I take up to 30 tablets a day.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06I take omeprazole for acid reflux,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09fluoxetine for depression,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12montelukast as part of my asthma control,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14prednisolone, which is a steroid,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17just to give my lungs a bit of a back-up.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Because I take that, I have to take alendronic acid,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24which helps put coating on your bones,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27because the steroids can make your bones brittle.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30I take allopurinol for gout.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33So, yeah, it's quite a routine in the morning.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36And at night as well.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40# Gimme your, gimme your, gimme your attention, baby... #
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Gout is an acute form of arthritis,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46causing painful inflammation of the joints.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49It's something that is very rare in premenopausal women.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56A recent study found that people who were obese as young adults
0:04:56 > 0:05:01developed gout symptoms 11 years earlier than those of normal weight.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Clair's dodgy joints and difficulty breathing means she can't
0:05:07 > 0:05:11even play with her kids, so Granny Teresa has to step in instead.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Obviously, being big
0:05:15 > 0:05:18and running around isn't the best thing in the world.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22The joint pains that I get if I've exerted myself carrying
0:05:22 > 0:05:25a lot of weight, you just make yourself tired.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28# Let me treasure you
0:05:28 > 0:05:31# Oh, whoa, ohhhh! #
0:05:31 > 0:05:32Dinner.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Clair's weight gain has dramatically shortened her life expectancy.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41I definitely feel old. Grandad is 85.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43But I might never get to that age.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Obesity can cause a whole host of health problems
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and knock years off your life.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Extra weight can cause joint areas to become painful
0:05:55 > 0:05:56and lead to arthritis.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Extra fat around the abdomen can lead to intestinal
0:06:01 > 0:06:05problems like constipation, cancer and diabetes.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Fat can build up in liver cells causing inflammation
0:06:10 > 0:06:12and eventually liver disease.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16It can cause high blood pressure and blocked arteries,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18leading to heart attacks and strokes.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26Obesity can also result in low self esteem and often trigger depression.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34As a last resort,
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Clair is turning to the most extreme form of weight loss surgery.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42She's having a gastric bypass, an irreversible operation.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48Feeling nervous now it's got close to going.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51I'm going to put my body through a lot to have it done.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53But I know it's for the greater good.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Ah, are you going to jump?
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Are you ready then, Clair?
0:07:03 > 0:07:04'It's not for vanity,
0:07:04 > 0:07:09'not for the sake of wanting to be a size 10 or what other people think.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11'It's for health reasons.'
0:07:17 > 0:07:20(I...love...you.)
0:07:20 > 0:07:21I'll speak to you tomorrow.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42For Clair's mum, it's not the first time her daughter's life
0:07:42 > 0:07:44has been in the balance.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48'When I was pregnant with Clair I was seriously ill.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50'My body was rejecting her.'
0:07:50 > 0:07:53And I nearly lost her so many times then.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56If you've seen your daughter in resuscitation, you know,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58and they're really fighting for her,
0:07:58 > 0:08:07you've already had an inside picture on what could go wrong.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11I wish somebody could take them out my head.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14# My salvation... #
0:08:24 > 0:08:26I'm travelling to Shrewsbury to meet
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Clair on the morning of her procedure.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36She's a really young woman who is having a gastric bypass.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40I've always associated things like that with much older people.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44She's got two gorgeous sons and I think she just really,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46really wants to change her life
0:08:48 > 0:08:50# I just know I know, I know, I know, I know
0:08:50 > 0:08:52# That you're gonna be OK anyway .. #
0:08:52 > 0:08:55I'm Cherry, lovely to meet you Nice to meet you.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57How long have you been waiting for this?
0:08:57 > 0:09:01It's been quite a long road to get here.
0:09:01 > 0:09:06I fell ill three years ago and was put on a high dose of steroids
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and put on a lot of weight in the first 12 months.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Overall, I think I've put on about six stone.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Gosh, in the space of what time
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Well, in a year, really, wasn't it? Yeah.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20The weight went on so quickly that it tore all the skin under my arms
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Oh, my gosh!
0:09:22 > 0:09:25And was that just the steroids or was your lifestyle
0:09:25 > 0:09:29kind of contributing to that? The steroids increase your appetite
0:09:29 > 0:09:33And what kind of things, you know, did you find were helping? Crisps.
0:09:33 > 0:09:40Crisps is the biggest thing, because I could hide crisps from everybody.
0:09:40 > 0:09:46Because the boys, obviously, they love their snacky stuff as well.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49And if one minute the bag is full and the next minute it's empty
0:09:49 > 0:09:54"Oh, it wasn't me. I didn't eat them all, it was them," kind of thing.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58'Clair knows she is facing a high-risk operation.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02'A gastric bypass carries a one-in-five chance of blood clots
0:10:02 > 0:10:07'or internal bleeding, complications which could potentially kill her.'
0:10:07 > 0:10:09What are the main things that worry you?
0:10:09 > 0:10:16I think yesterday it kind of hit me. The risks side of things hit me
0:10:16 > 0:10:21And I found it really hard when it was time for the boys to go.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Just that I had a brief flicker of
0:10:25 > 0:10:28"This could be the last time that I see them."
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Can I get you into the theatre now then, please? Yeah.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36OK. I'll let you have some peace. Thank you. Thank you very much
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Good luck. Thank you. All right
0:10:42 > 0:10:44This is major surgery.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47She has obviously been through a massive emotional journey,
0:10:47 > 0:10:51really nervous, aware of the huge risks.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Her mum is clearly nervous as well.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57She is living the life of a much, much older person
0:10:57 > 0:11:01and she calls today her second birthday because, after this,
0:11:01 > 0:11:06she's going to have a very, very different new life,
0:11:06 > 0:11:07full of energy and...
0:11:09 > 0:11:11..yeah, feeling like a young woman again.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19In the last five years, gastric bypasses have increased sixfold
0:11:19 > 0:11:24They now cost the NHS over ?50 million a year.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26And I have been truly shocked to find out that
0:11:26 > 0:11:31kids as young as 15 are now having invasive weight loss surgery.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40But less radical surgery is also booming
0:11:40 > 0:11:43for people like 28-year-old Tom, from Surrey.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47He is due to have a gastric balloon fitted at St Thomas' Hospital
0:11:47 > 0:11:48in London.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51It's a new procedure that is by no means a walk in the park,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55but at least there's no going under the knife.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Come through, Tom. Please, take a seat there.
0:11:59 > 0:12:09Hard to believe, but just six months ago, he weighed in at 22 stone
0:12:09 > 0:12:13save his liver from progressing into nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20It's now estimated around half a million children under 15 suffer
0:12:20 > 0:12:24from this obesity-related condition, and the number is set to rocket
0:12:24 > 0:12:26When I was younger, what I'm eating,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30"Is it good for me, is it bad for me?" doesn't come into your mind.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34You know, that young person mentality of "I'm going to live for ever.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35You think you can eat, you know, you can
0:12:35 > 0:12:38sit there and eat a whole chocolate cake or you can sit
0:12:38 > 0:12:41there and eat a whole pizza to yourself, and you don't think
0:12:41 > 0:12:44about the ramifications that it s going to have on your body.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Tom started putting on weight six years ago after he was prescribed
0:12:49 > 0:12:53steroids to treat Crohn's disease - an inflammation of the bowel.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55You feel like you need more food.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58I was eating enough for myself and somebody else, pretty much
0:12:58 > 0:13:01You get into a depression, you need something to uplift you.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03And food was definitely...
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Not just eating the food, but preparing it as well.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09You know, I find that very therapeutic.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13After a routine blood test, Tom s liver was showing signs of damage.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Now his liver is on borrowed time,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18and it's not booze that is to blame, it's his diet.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24It was mainly greasy kind of foods like eggs and bacon, chips,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27sausages, burgers, pizzas.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Yeah, just anything that has a high fat content in it.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Incredibly, it's not alcohol
0:13:36 > 0:13:40but obesity that is now the biggest cause of liver disease in the UK.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Nonalcoholic liver disease occurs when excess fat builds up
0:13:47 > 0:13:51inside liver cells, making the liver inflamed.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55When the body tries to repair itself, scar tissue builds up
0:13:55 > 0:13:58and the liver develops a rough surface -
0:13:58 > 0:14:12a condition known as cirrhosis which, left unchecked, can be fatal.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15to help shed the fat around his liver.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Now the second stage of his treatment is on the horizon,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21he is meeting old friend Liz for some support.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Once I hit that 14 stone, hopefully it won't be as bad as last time
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Because last time, it was really, really bad.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28The first night I came home,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31I didn't sleep because I was just being sick so much.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33But I'm hoping that because I had it done before,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37my stomach won't react as badly as it did before. Yeah.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40I've so noticed how you do look significantly different.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45No, no, same. I noticed it as well. Even, like...
0:14:45 > 0:14:49It's a bit of a weird way to judge it, but, like, bath water.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53I've always had my bath set to a certain level.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56When I was overweight, I'd get in and it would go to a certain height.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Now I get in and it's a quarter of that height.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05You know, I'm proud of you for doing that, so hopefully in a year,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08you'll look very different and we'll go out and celebrate
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Yeah, definitely.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11'When Tom was at his largest,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13'he definitely wasn't living the life of someone in their mid-20s.'
0:15:13 > 0:15:15He was living the life of, you know,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19I guess someone who was much older and almost like a recluse.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Somebody who had no friends.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22And he had friends, he had lots of friends,
0:15:22 > 0:15:26but he just didn't communicate He often wouldn't answer his phone.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28He just wasn't living his life at all.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32I mean, it's like his life had almost been cut short.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Once I'm done with this,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38I will never let my weight get back up to what it was, because...
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Well, you know, I've seen the struggle, I've seen the pain,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I've seen the discomfort that I've had to go through.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47I haven't just seen it, I've felt it.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54At the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, I'm sitting in on a major operation,
0:15:54 > 0:15:58which could add years to Clair's life.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01That yellow looks great on you
0:16:01 > 0:16:07'There are an estimated 110,00 super-obese people in Britain.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11How are you feeling? OK. Yeah? Yeah. I'm good to go.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15'Clair's obesity has given her premature gout, bone weakness,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18'asthma and sleep apnoea.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19'To reduce these conditions,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23'she's having an irreversible gastric bypass.'
0:16:23 > 0:16:26What are the major things in your life that you want to be
0:16:26 > 0:16:28different after the surgery?
0:16:28 > 0:16:32That I can get active and run around with the boys
0:16:32 > 0:16:34and take them swimming and...
0:16:34 > 0:16:37do all the things that I can't do now.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40And what about for you as a 30-year-old young woman?
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Do you know, I think the last three years have been that long that
0:16:44 > 0:16:50I've forgotten what it is to be my age, I think.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Yeah.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54'There's no getting away from the risk,
0:16:54 > 0:16:59'but if the operation is successful, Clair's life could be transformed.'
0:17:07 > 0:17:11# Got my bad baby by my heavenly side
0:17:11 > 0:17:13# I know if I go
0:17:13 > 0:17:15# I'll die happy tonight... #
0:17:31 > 0:17:34They're not messing about with that kit.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Clair is being operated on by Mr Sigurdsson,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43the lead bariatric surgeon
0:17:43 > 0:17:48at the hospital, with nearly 1, 00 gastric bypasses under his belt
0:17:48 > 0:17:51How old is the youngest person you have operated on?
0:17:51 > 0:17:5418 years old. Gosh. Yeah.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59So would you say that for some patients, this is the only option?
0:17:59 > 0:18:00Yes.
0:18:00 > 0:18:11When you have reached the stage that Clair has reached,
0:18:11 > 0:18:15She had already gone into super-obesity with a BMI of 57
0:18:15 > 0:18:17when she came to us.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Developed serious complications like sleep apnoea
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Her asthma is really, really badly controlled
0:18:23 > 0:18:26because of the obesity and the reflux.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29She could also develop further problems like diabetes
0:18:29 > 0:18:30and high blood pressure.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33The likelihood is it will shorten her life 15 years.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37And the only solution at the moment is surgery.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43A gastric bypass is where the digestive system is
0:18:43 > 0:18:46re-routed by cutting the small intestine
0:18:46 > 0:18:50and attaching it to a newly-created smaller stomach.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54This new stomach needs much less food for it to feel full.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58The procedure has lifelong implications,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02so Clair's eating habits will never be the same again.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Right then, so it's sleep time for you.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08So think about something nice as you go off to sleep.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Clair is having a general anaesthetic, but because of her
0:19:11 > 0:19:15weight, she's twice as likely to have breathing problems.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22OK, so we're going to start trying to get an access to the
0:19:22 > 0:19:24abdominal cavity.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26This is done with a specialised needle.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31It's a complicated operation.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35There is a one-in-five chance of blood clots or internal bleeding,
0:19:35 > 0:19:37which are potentially fatal.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43It is so...surreal...
0:19:43 > 0:19:48sitting here, looking inside of Clair.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Right.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55Dividing some fat around here in front of the oesophagus and stomach.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03God, he's just tied a knot.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05That is just extraordinary.
0:20:05 > 0:20:11This is a stapler that does divide the stomach.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Three rows of staples each side
0:20:13 > 0:20:16So seals the stomach completely off.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20They've sectioned off
0:20:20 > 0:20:24a very small piece of her stomach
0:20:24 > 0:20:26and they've taken away a section
0:20:26 > 0:20:29of her bowel that absorbs a lot of the fat.
0:20:29 > 0:20:36So two ways in which Clair will be prevented from putting on weight.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Not only can she not eat that much,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42but she won't be absorbing as much.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44There we are.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51And now this is the final bit of the gastric bypass, really.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54'Mr Sigurdsson checks there are no leaks in Clair's new stomach.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57'If any food or digestive juices
0:20:57 > 0:20:59'get into her abdomen, she could die.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03And that completes the operation.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09This has just been an incredible thing to watch.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13I was not expecting anything this major.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17The way it's portrayed in the press is that it's a kind of
0:21:17 > 0:21:21walk-in, walkout, easy option.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26Carry on eating, you can always have a gastric bypass.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30And I have been absolutely shocked today
0:21:30 > 0:21:34to see how major an operation this is.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36MUSIC: "Never Let Me Go" by Florence and the Machine
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Big, nice, deep breath.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41# Fractured moonlight on the sea
0:21:41 > 0:21:44# Reflection's still the same to me
0:21:44 > 0:21:47# As before I went under... #
0:21:47 > 0:21:51'From now on, Clair will have to follow a special reduced diet
0:21:51 > 0:21:55'and take nutritional supplements every day for the rest of her life.'
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Oh, hello. Hello.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00How are you feeling? OK.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03You look really amazingly awake
0:22:03 > 0:22:06considering what I've just witnessed.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09I'm out the other side, which is the main thing.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11What are you most looking forward to?
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Seeing my boys tomorrow.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15See them properly tomorrow.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19When you're feeling a bit better. All right, honey.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22# Never let me go, never let me go... #
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Really, the journey starts here for Clair.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26She still has to change her eating habits,
0:22:26 > 0:22:28she still has to change her lifestyle.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30And there are side effects.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32She has to take vitamins for the rest of her life.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34She can't eat out normally,
0:22:34 > 0:22:36she can only eat tiny, tiny portions.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39And she may have a lot of excess skin,
0:22:39 > 0:22:45so this is not just the easy, magical option.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49This is the beginning of Clair's hard work.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56'Whilst Clair and Tom have had to opt for extreme surgery,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59'someone who's not dealing with their super-sized shape
0:22:59 > 0:23:03'is 22-year-old Octavia from Exmouth.'
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Really? Surprised you...
0:23:06 > 0:23:07MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH
0:23:07 > 0:23:10'I'm fascinated to find out what her story is
0:23:10 > 0:23:13'and where better than over a nice cup of tea?'
0:23:13 > 0:23:16When were you first aware that you had a problem with your weight
0:23:16 > 0:23:18I was probably about seven or eight.
0:23:18 > 0:23:19Is that you?
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Yep. I always had a chubby face
0:23:21 > 0:23:24I was just bigger than everyone else, you know?
0:23:24 > 0:23:26I had proper chubby legs.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30Do you how much you weigh at the moment? No.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31I have no idea.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36As a child, constantly being poked, prodded, put on scales,
0:23:36 > 0:23:38put off scales, told I was fat
0:23:38 > 0:23:43it's made me associate numbers which are on a scale
0:23:43 > 0:23:45with how happy I should be.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49And I think that's where it's wrong.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52I think, without making myself sound arrogant,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56I've been able to do something that a lot of people can't do,
0:23:56 > 0:24:00which is, you know, from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet,
0:24:00 > 0:24:01I pretty much love myself.
0:24:03 > 0:24:08'I really like Octavia,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11'is more about self-defence.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15'No-one knows her better than her mum Caroline.'
0:24:15 > 0:24:19I think Octavia does put on quite a front.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22She'd never like to admit it, but she does.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24'It's just the way she is.'
0:24:24 > 0:24:29I'd much prefer to live my life for a short period of time
0:24:29 > 0:24:33fat and happy than I would live a very, very long time
0:24:33 > 0:24:35skinny and miserable.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38You and me both. Yeah, absolutely.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Counting calories for the rest of my life. Oh, neurotic about your weight.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Apart from anything else, you're boring to other people.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49But, with a diet high in saturated fat,
0:24:49 > 0:24:54Octavia's putting herself at a huge health risk.
0:24:54 > 0:24:55Right, brioche. Not good.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Cheese. Pastrami, cos I love it
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Crispy potato slices.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Also, chicken!
0:25:03 > 0:25:06The bit that I like the most is the skin.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Which is everybody's favourite bit.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13I don't really know why I'm fat
0:25:13 > 0:25:17I'm not going to pass the blame to the fact that I was a heavy kid.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19I think some of it is to do with me.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Like everyone in this country,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26I'm guilty of putting too much on my plate.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29For instance, I had the option to have a smaller steak.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Did I take it? Did I hell.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37'But, the recent death of Octavia's dad
0:25:37 > 0:25:40'has given her a major reality check.'
0:25:40 > 0:25:43My dad pretty much had a heart attack.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48He had basically an enlarged heart
0:25:48 > 0:25:50and just one day it gave up.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54For the first time ever, I actually thought to myself,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56"Oh, my God, I'm going to have a heart attack."
0:25:56 > 0:25:58I was convinced, I was convinced.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02I was like, "Oh, no! I'm going to have a heart attack! Oh, I'm fat!
0:26:02 > 0:26:05"I'm even more at risk!" Cos my dad wasn't a fat person
0:26:05 > 0:26:16Losing my father has made me aware
0:26:16 > 0:26:19And it's not just the fear of heart disease
0:26:19 > 0:26:22that's making Octavia feel older than her years.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27At the age of just 13, she was diagnosed with
0:26:27 > 0:26:29polycystic ovary syndrome,
0:26:29 > 0:26:33or PCOS, a condition that affects fertility.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37'My periods just stopped and I was constantly thinking to myself,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39"Am I having premature menopause "
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Cos, like, you do associate
0:26:42 > 0:26:45not having a period with, you know,
0:26:45 > 0:26:46going through the menopause.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51Polycystic ovary syndrome makes me feel older, because you're
0:26:51 > 0:26:55thrust into something that is associated with people who are older.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58'You're constantly told very adult things,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00'like Type 2 diabetes,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02'not being able to have children '
0:27:02 > 0:27:07You are made to face things as a younger person
0:27:07 > 0:27:10that usually would be associated with
0:27:10 > 0:27:12someone who was a lot older than you.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16A weight loss of just 5% can lead to a massive
0:27:16 > 0:27:18improvement in PCOS symptoms.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23But, I'm not sure Octavia is ready to take on that challenge
0:27:23 > 0:27:27It will be really interesting to see how Octavia's weight is
0:27:27 > 0:27:30really affecting her health, cos, at the moment,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32she's living in blissful ignorance.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37And I think she's scared to really look at that directly.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41But I completely understand how she must feel.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Not every young person ends up at the extreme end of obesity,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55but it is all too easy for the pounds to pile on.
0:27:59 > 0:28:04I've been so shocked at some of the things the people I've met
0:28:04 > 0:28:06have had to deal with.
0:28:06 > 0:28:20People like Tom, Clair and Octavia.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22They should be out having fun,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24they should be carefree,
0:28:24 > 0:28:28not worrying about major life-changing surgery.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37'As a mum-to-be, it's the next generation
0:28:37 > 0:28:39'that worries me even more.'
0:28:43 > 0:28:47'Britain now has eight different weight loss camps for kids,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49'and the stats tell us why.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54'The British Heart Foundation recently warned our nation's
0:28:54 > 0:28:58'children are in grave danger of developing coronary heart disease,
0:28:58 > 0:29:04'with 85% of girls and 73% of boys aged 13
0:29:04 > 0:29:07'not doing an hour's daily exercise
0:29:07 > 0:29:11'and 83% of 15-year-olds not eating their five a day.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15'To find out what's being done about this,
0:29:15 > 0:29:19'I've come to a camp in Bradford for children as young as four.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22'It's run by Professor Paul Gately.'
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Weight loss is not the goal here.
0:29:25 > 0:29:26Lifestyle change is the goal,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29and weight loss will occur because of that.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32We've seen in the last 20 years
0:29:32 > 0:29:35a trebling of obesity levels in the UK.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38So, in any one classroom you might go to in the UK,
0:29:38 > 0:29:41one in three of those children will be overweight or obese.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46'And, it seems that the kids at the camp are really benefiting.'
0:29:46 > 0:29:49What have you learned, being on the camp?
0:29:49 > 0:29:52To not eat as much,
0:29:52 > 0:29:57cos I normally just snack on anything that's in the cupboard
0:29:57 > 0:30:00How much exercise did you do before? None. Nothing? Nothing
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Do you guys feel like you have more energy now?
0:30:03 > 0:30:06A lot more. A lot more. Wow!
0:30:06 > 0:30:12I'm glad that I come here, cos I've lost 6kg on camp.
0:30:12 > 0:30:13Gosh, that's a lot!
0:30:13 > 0:30:18'It's estimated that our country's lack of activity costs the NHS
0:30:18 > 0:30:21'a whopping ?900 million.'
0:30:21 > 0:30:23CHILDREN CALL TO EACH OTHER
0:30:25 > 0:30:29'My initial thoughts of the camp are it's fantastic that these
0:30:29 > 0:30:33'kids get the opportunity to learn about food and sport.'
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Really, they shouldn't have to be here.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Some of them are as young as eight.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42It's so strange to hear young kids talking about
0:30:42 > 0:30:44how much weight they've lost.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47But actually, this is still better than the alternative,
0:30:47 > 0:30:51because, if they don't get a better understanding of health
0:30:51 > 0:30:54and nutrition now, then they're going to be suffering
0:30:54 > 0:30:59really severe health problems before they've even hit their 20s.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10'I've come to Blackburn to meet a young woman whose weight has
0:31:10 > 0:31:13'spiralled to a dangerous level '
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Hello. Hello, are you all right
0:31:18 > 0:31:20Hi, I'm Cherry. Hiya. Come in! Pleased to meet you.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23'22-year-old Rebecca started putting on weight after
0:31:23 > 0:31:26'the birth of her son and it's clear from her story that the
0:31:26 > 0:31:28'cause of obesity isn't always simple.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31'It often comes from much deeper issues.'
0:31:31 > 0:31:35That's his first picture. He was only 5lb 10, so he was quite small.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38We called him Finley, cos I wanted an Irish name.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Because my mum's side of the family are all Irish.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44Everyone brought cards and balloons and did what you're supposed to
0:31:44 > 0:31:46Everything were fine,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49and then he just went downhill
0:31:49 > 0:31:51He just got really poorly.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53He needed to be resuscitated when he was born,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56because he was born nearly dead
0:31:57 > 0:32:02'Finley was born with a heart defect and only survived for two days.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Just walking out of that hospital without your baby.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08You know, my life just completely changed that day.
0:32:08 > 0:32:18And it's just been hard.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22'and it didn't take long for their weight to spiral '
0:32:23 > 0:32:25I began to comfort eat.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27I didn't cook, I didn't do anything.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29I just thought, "I can't be bothered."
0:32:29 > 0:32:31It was the last thing on my mind.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35I sort of found comfort in the takeaways and the fizzy pop
0:32:35 > 0:32:39and just going out and drinking
0:32:39 > 0:32:42You know, it comes on very, very quickly.
0:32:42 > 0:32:43Did you think about it at all?
0:32:43 > 0:32:47It crossed my mind, when I sort of gone up a size in clothes.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50And then gone up another size in clothes.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52I knew I was putting weight on
0:32:52 > 0:32:55I could see it myself, but I couldn't be bothered to lose any.
0:32:55 > 0:32:56I could see it myself, but I couldn't be bothered to lose any.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57I didn't want to.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00'11 months after Finley's death
0:33:00 > 0:33:03'they discovered that Rebecca was pregnant again.'
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Hello! And hello.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07'Now baby Jack's come along,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10'Rebecca and Kenny both have a reason to get fit and stay young.'
0:33:10 > 0:33:14Does Jack add motivation for getting healthy? Yeah.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16Just so I can play with him as well, in the park,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19rather than sitting down watching him play.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21I'd rather be able to have a kick about with him,
0:33:21 > 0:33:23rather than five minutes later absolutely knackered.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27'Rebecca has another great reason for slimming down.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30'She and Kenny are getting married in six months' time.'
0:33:30 > 0:33:32The last thing you want to be is fat on your wedding day.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Cos the pictures will be... Up on your wall for ever.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Wow.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Rebecca and Kenny have basically been through
0:33:43 > 0:33:45every parent's worst nightmare
0:33:45 > 0:33:48I think it takes amazing discipline and self-awareness,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51like Rebecca has shown, to say
0:33:51 > 0:33:53"Right, I'm at a crossroads, and if I go
0:33:53 > 0:33:56"any further, it's going to be almost impossible
0:33:56 > 0:33:57"for me to come back.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00"Put on a bit of weight, I've got some bad habits,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04"if I don't get a grip now, it's going to make it harder."
0:34:04 > 0:34:08To have gone through such a devastating tragedy
0:34:08 > 0:34:16and yet be so committed to being the best mum she can be -
0:34:16 > 0:34:19I can't wait to meet up
0:34:19 > 0:34:22# When you're ready, come and get it... #
0:34:22 > 0:34:25'With baby Jack around, Rebecca has a whole new motivation
0:34:25 > 0:34:27'to lose weight and get fit.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29'So, she's managed to get onto
0:34:29 > 0:34:31'a six-month healthy lifestyle course.'
0:34:33 > 0:34:38'I suppose this is the first step to normalise exercise in my life again.'
0:34:38 > 0:34:41I want to be healthy and lose weight.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Hiya.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48'To gain a full picture of her weight and general health,
0:34:48 > 0:34:51'Rebecca's fitness levels are being assessed.'
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I'm nervous, obviously, being weighed in front of other people.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58I don't even have scales at home.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00I do try and avoid them, really
0:35:00 > 0:35:04But it's not just her weight she should be worried about.
0:35:04 > 0:35:10I'd say I'm quite unhealthy. I don't walk anywhere, I'd go in the car.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14OK, so if you put this, kind of where your belly button is. Yeah.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17I do get out of breath from running.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20I am lazy, yeah. I don't exercise.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Recent studies show that any kind of physical activity can play
0:35:23 > 0:35:27a big part in influencing an anti-ageing effect within
0:35:27 > 0:35:29the make-up of our bodies.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35We all have a genetic code or DNA, which is
0:35:35 > 0:35:37carried within our chromosomes
0:35:37 > 0:35:40The ends of our chromosomes are protected by caps,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43known as telomeres.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47Every time our cells divide, these telomeres get shorter.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51When they get too short, cells die, which leads to us ageing.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Leading a physically active
0:35:53 > 0:35:57and healthy lifestyle boosts the activity of an enzyme,
0:35:57 > 0:36:01which helps slow down the shortening process of the telomeres,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03essentially keeping the cells young.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06In the ultimate test of her fitness,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Rebecca's going to have her heart rate
0:36:08 > 0:36:13and excursion level checked with a series of cardiovascular exercises.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15It's going to measure your heart rate...
0:36:15 > 0:36:19The last time Rebecca did any form of exercise was
0:36:19 > 0:36:20when she was at school.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25I'm not looking forward to doing exercise and being timed
0:36:25 > 0:36:29and tested and coming really low on the scale
0:36:29 > 0:36:32and showing how unhealthy I actually am.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37Cos it's not just about being how I'm overweight, I'm unhealthy as well.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40So, I've been a bit nervous about that.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Using a heart monitor on her wrist, Rebecca will tell the team
0:36:46 > 0:36:50what her heart rate is doing and how hard she's finding the exercise
0:36:51 > 0:36:54Three, two, one, go.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58# If I'm going hard, let me tell you that it's worth it... #
0:36:58 > 0:37:01It's off to a gentle start.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02# I ain't afraid to work it
0:37:02 > 0:37:04# Rushing right off... #
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Experts now believe that a sedentary lifestyle
0:37:06 > 0:37:10is as dangerous as smoking but tragically Rebecca is more
0:37:10 > 0:37:14the norm than the exception among young people today.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17# In my fantasy we're running wild, wild, wild
0:37:17 > 0:37:20# Whoa... #
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Better late than never for Rebecca.
0:37:23 > 0:37:24# Jessie J
0:37:24 > 0:37:26# Wild, wild
0:37:26 > 0:37:28# Whoa
0:37:28 > 0:37:29# Wild, wild... #
0:37:29 > 0:37:32191. Stop stepping...
0:37:32 > 0:37:37I'm absolutely knackered but I feel really good for doing it.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48But the results might come as a bit of a shock.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51These are the numbers, are the ones that came up off the scales.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54So, number 3 shows you've got higher than average amounts of
0:37:54 > 0:37:56body fat, which you, kind of, already knew anyway. Yeah.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01Your BMI works out 36.4, OK?
0:38:01 > 0:38:04The ideal healthy level for that is 24.9 and under.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07Anything over 30 puts you into the obese category. Yeah.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13I feel as if people describe me as the fat person.
0:38:17 > 0:38:25Not in a horrible way but if you were going to, you know, say
0:38:26 > 0:38:30It's the final figure that's a real eye-opener.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Metabolic age is the last one and it does make people go,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35"Oh, my Gosh!" Yeah, it's quite embarrassing though, isn't it?
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Rebecca's body could be functioning as a 37-year-old.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42That's up to 15 years over her actual age.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47In terms of what we're expecting over the next six months,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50we're looking at around minimum of 10% weight loss.
0:38:50 > 0:38:51Right. OK?
0:38:53 > 0:38:57To increase her life expectancy Rebecca will need to get to
0:38:57 > 0:39:01a moderate level of physical activity, two and half hours a week.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05That's the government recommended minimum.
0:39:05 > 0:39:06Last one on this one.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Like so many young people out there,
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Rebecca's weight has just spiralled out of control.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20And unfortunately now,
0:39:20 > 0:39:25she's on the verge of developing some pretty serious illnesses.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28But she is at the point that
0:39:28 > 0:39:31if she makes some big changes in her life,
0:39:31 > 0:39:35if she tries to be more active and she really sticks to it,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38she could actually stop her body prematurely ageing.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Back in London it's a big day for Tom.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51He's having a replacement gastric balloon fitted to treat
0:39:51 > 0:39:54nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58It's a condition that's increasing among Britain's young
0:39:58 > 0:40:01and can cause cirrhosis of the liver.
0:40:01 > 0:40:06This usually occurs in the over 50s and is potentially fatal.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09The first balloon, six months ago,
0:40:09 > 0:40:11has already helped Tom lose five stone.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14You look very, very different. Yeah, I know that.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15Your friends must be delighted Yeah.
0:40:15 > 0:40:22Tom's being treated by Dr Jude Oben,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Essentially it's a silicon balloon that we put into patient's
0:40:26 > 0:40:30stomach via the mouth and the balloon is then filled with
0:40:30 > 0:40:32saline or salt water solution
0:40:32 > 0:40:36and we also put into the balloon a blue dye.
0:40:36 > 0:40:41The reason for that is, if the balloon then deflates,
0:40:41 > 0:40:44the patient passes blue urine.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47That is a code red, they must come into the hospital
0:40:47 > 0:40:48and have the balloon removed
0:40:48 > 0:40:51and essentially we use the balloon as part of a
0:40:51 > 0:40:56multi-disciplinary approach to losing weight or downsizing.
0:40:56 > 0:41:03So, when you're ready, boys and girls... Yeah, that's fine.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07OK, so just imagine you're on some fantastic beach somewhere
0:41:10 > 0:41:14Although Tom doesn't need a general anaesthetic, he's being sedated
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Which means he'll stay conscious throughout as tubes are sent down
0:41:17 > 0:41:21his throat to his stomach to check there are no issues like ulcers
0:41:23 > 0:41:24At the moment, so far so good.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Now it's safe, Jude can start the procedure. Well done...
0:41:29 > 0:41:31So, this is the balloon.
0:41:31 > 0:41:32It's a silicone balloon.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37We'll just put some jelly over it to make it easier to put down.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41OK, just relax for me. Well done.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45OK, so the balloon is now in the appropriate position
0:41:45 > 0:41:50and now we put the blue dye into the balloon.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Inject, please, yeah, thank you
0:42:00 > 0:42:04It's then filled with salt water, the aim being to reduce
0:42:04 > 0:42:08the capacity in Tom's stomach so that he feels fuller, quicker.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Where are we at? More than half
0:42:11 > 0:42:13More than half, fantastic. OK, brilliant.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17The balloon is less costly than banding
0:42:17 > 0:42:26and less costly than gastric bypass.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28heading towards obesity.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33We're seeing more and more young people who are obese and,
0:42:33 > 0:42:38of course, they will get arthritis, type two diabetes, liver disease...
0:42:38 > 0:42:41They will get them younger than they should do
0:42:41 > 0:42:45because they are obese at a much younger age.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49We're done. OK, fantastic. Wasn t so bad? Yeah...no. Good man.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54The operation has only just finished
0:42:54 > 0:42:57but Tom is already looking forward to a slimmer future.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01Yeah, it's been about an hour and a half since I came out.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05Erm, I can feel my stomach moving around and stuff like that
0:43:05 > 0:43:09but it's worth going through that bit of discomfort and pain for
0:43:09 > 0:43:12you know, the end result.
0:43:12 > 0:43:18The funny thing is, before I went in I was feeling hungry but now, no.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21I just, yeah, I feel...I just feel good.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23I want to get back to living my life, you know,
0:43:23 > 0:43:28the life of a late 20-year-old again.
0:43:28 > 0:43:29Which would be good
0:43:29 > 0:43:33because I haven't been able to do that for the last few years.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37Tom's chances of shedding even more weight
0:43:37 > 0:43:41and saving his liver look good But what about Rebecca?
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Two months after she started her healthy lifestyle
0:43:44 > 0:43:48course in Blackburn, the pace has really picked up.
0:43:51 > 0:43:55And being a fitness fan myself I just have to join in.
0:43:57 > 0:43:58No slacking...
0:44:02 > 0:44:04I think this might be cheating
0:44:07 > 0:44:10I know it looks like I'm just having a lie down
0:44:10 > 0:44:13but really there's lots going on internally.
0:44:16 > 0:44:23Rebecca's clearly taking this more seriously than I am.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26since her school days? It was really hard.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29It was mainly just thinking that my wedding is five months away
0:44:29 > 0:44:31I need to lose the weight.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33Do you miss how you used to be
0:44:33 > 0:44:35I do miss being able to just go and get a takeaway
0:44:35 > 0:44:39whenever but not that much.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Cos I quite like the fact that I've lost weight.
0:44:48 > 0:44:51It's amazing that Rebecca's decided to do this.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53She knows she needs to be more active.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57She'll lost weight so that her body will function better,
0:44:57 > 0:45:00her organs will function better
0:45:00 > 0:45:03potentially adding years onto her life
0:45:03 > 0:45:09and she could actually enjoy being a mum and run around after her son and
0:45:09 > 0:45:13live the life that she's supposed to be living now at her age.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20Back in Exmouth, Octavia's health is still a worry.
0:45:23 > 0:45:26When we last met, I discovered her fear of suffering a
0:45:26 > 0:45:31heart attack like her dad had given her a wake up call.
0:45:31 > 0:45:36# Girl, look at that body
0:45:36 > 0:45:38# I work out... #
0:45:38 > 0:45:41People obviously have this perception that I don't actually do any
0:45:41 > 0:45:45exercise and the most exercise I have is going from the sofa to the fridge.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47# I'm sexy and I know it... #
0:45:47 > 0:45:49I come to the gym, probably, four to five times a week
0:45:49 > 0:45:51and I really enjoy it.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54The feeling that you get, of accomplishment, not just that
0:45:54 > 0:45:58but the fact that you just feel so much better.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01I feel healthier.
0:46:01 > 0:46:02# I'm sexy and I know it... #
0:46:04 > 0:46:07Whilst increasing her exercise is great, I still worry that
0:46:07 > 0:46:11Octavia hasn't still fully faced up to what's really going on.
0:46:11 > 0:46:13In terms of your fitness and health,
0:46:13 > 0:46:15where do you think you're at right now?
0:46:15 > 0:46:21I think I'm good by bigger people's standards
0:46:21 > 0:46:29but obviously when it comes to the grand scheme of things, eeeer..
0:46:29 > 0:46:33Octavia has decided to finally confront what she's spent
0:46:33 > 0:46:36the last few years avoiding.
0:46:36 > 0:46:38I'm meeting back up with Professor Paul Gately,
0:46:38 > 0:46:41who's going to be giving her a full physical assessment
0:46:41 > 0:46:45and the bare facts about how her body could be ageing her.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48There's lots of different tests that we can do in here.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50We have athletes, we have overweight and obese people in here,
0:46:50 > 0:46:52testing them, lots of different groups.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56They're going to dangle a chocolate bar from there.
0:46:56 > 0:47:00No, we're not. And they're going to, like, make me run for it.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04Up to now, it's been difficult for Octavia to face the facts
0:47:04 > 0:47:08but I know she's scared about the risks to her health.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10So, this is a big deal.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16That hair is going to be a challenge for me. Here we go
0:47:16 > 0:47:18It's like Rapunzel.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21Paul needs to get details of Octavia's height
0:47:21 > 0:47:23and weight for his first test.
0:47:23 > 0:47:24Step away.
0:47:29 > 0:47:30Bearing in mind,
0:47:30 > 0:47:33I've got a microphone on so that s obviously an extra 20, 30 pounds.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37Definitely. That's fine. Definitely, yeah, yeah...and your hair.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39And you've been for a wee before hand, yeah?
0:47:39 > 0:47:43Oh, no, I haven't so that's... There we go.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46How am I going to fit in there You will fit in there.
0:47:46 > 0:47:51You need to put that on your hair. Oh! It looks amazing!
0:47:51 > 0:47:55The things I do. It's not your average test, I'll be honest.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57You're wearing a swimming hat
0:47:57 > 0:48:00and you're about to get into a giant egg. That's it.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03Enjoy... Goodbye!
0:48:05 > 0:48:08This is the weirdest test I have ever seen in my life.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12So, don't you remember at school, Archimedes' principle? No.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15Sitting in the bath and the water that you displace. Yes. OK.
0:48:15 > 0:48:16That's how this works? It's the same principle.
0:48:16 > 0:48:24So, what we do is, we measure the air in the chamber
0:48:24 > 0:48:26how much space or her body volume she takes up.
0:48:26 > 0:48:30And then from that
0:48:30 > 0:48:32because we know the density of different tissues
0:48:32 > 0:48:36and we know her weight, you can therefore calculate her body
0:48:36 > 0:48:39fat levels and that's what this machine does. Right. Well done
0:48:39 > 0:48:41Well done, that was good. Thank you.
0:48:41 > 0:48:45How did that feel? Did you feel anything? Strange. It is strange.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48Now Octavia's had her fat measured in a fancy egg,
0:48:48 > 0:48:50it's on to more physical stuff
0:48:52 > 0:48:54Wearing this mask while on the treadmill will monitor her
0:48:54 > 0:49:00breathing and cardiovascular levels to see how fit she really is.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02If I'm really honest, the perception of an obese person
0:49:02 > 0:49:05is that they don't enjoy exercise, they don't do it.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08So, I'm actually quite surprised to hear that she goes to the gym
0:49:08 > 0:49:10sometimes five times a week.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12# Work it out
0:49:12 > 0:49:14# Got a gang of cash and it's all thrown out on the bar... #
0:49:14 > 0:49:16Think she's doing really well.
0:49:16 > 0:49:17There's a lot of pressure on her, actually.
0:49:17 > 0:49:20# Play hard, work hard... #
0:49:20 > 0:49:24I think she's had to work quite hard to accept herself, the size she is.
0:49:24 > 0:49:29I think today is very nerve-racking as that might rock the boat a bit.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32Fantastic, OK, we're going to slow you back down
0:49:32 > 0:49:35and we're going to bring you back down.
0:49:35 > 0:49:37OK?
0:49:37 > 0:49:40I'm bringing you all the way back down. You did really well
0:49:40 > 0:49:44You did very well. You didn't even break a sweat.
0:49:45 > 0:49:49With the tests over, it's finally time for Octavia to hear
0:49:49 > 0:49:53the truth and deal with the consequences for her future health.
0:49:53 > 0:49:56Your body fat was 49.4. Yeah.
0:49:56 > 0:50:01So, a healthy range for a female is around the mid 20s.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05So, your body fat is on the high level. The high side.
0:50:05 > 0:50:07Which is not surprising. Obvious.
0:50:07 > 0:50:13OK, one of the concerns I would have is where you store your body fat...
0:50:13 > 0:50:17Yeah. ..and you store your body fat more around your abdomen. Yeah
0:50:17 > 0:50:23Which puts you at greater risk of things like type two diabetes,
0:50:23 > 0:50:27cardiovascular disease and a range of forms of cancers.
0:50:27 > 0:50:31Yeah.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33so that does worry me.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37My father passed away a year ago and my father had an enlarged heart.
0:50:37 > 0:50:40I have been checked for various heart, kind of,
0:50:40 > 0:50:44conditions cos he was born with an enlarged heart and that petrifies me.
0:50:44 > 0:50:48That genuinely petrifies me, the fact that I will die of a
0:50:48 > 0:50:52heart attack and that's what made me want to go to the gym.
0:50:52 > 0:50:56There is a risk that your joints are more likely to be damaged,
0:50:56 > 0:50:59back pain is more likely to occur, which at some point could
0:50:59 > 0:51:02limit your ambitions to continue to be physically active
0:51:02 > 0:51:05and then you're down on a, sort of, spiral.
0:51:05 > 0:51:09In terms of your fitness level, OK, it is
0:51:09 > 0:51:13at the higher end of what we would see someone of your weight
0:51:13 > 0:51:19and body fat to have but it is still relatively low in comparison
0:51:19 > 0:51:24to normally active or active to a certain level.
0:51:24 > 0:51:26Meeting the weekly recommendations,
0:51:26 > 0:51:29your fitness level is dramatically lower than that.
0:51:29 > 0:51:35Does that surprise you? Not really, like, I am very realistic.
0:51:35 > 0:51:41You know, I think, I do what I can. Sometimes not so much.
0:51:41 > 0:51:42Sometimes a lot.
0:51:42 > 0:51:43I'm doing pretty well for me
0:51:43 > 0:51:47and if I feel good about it, then that's all that really matters
0:51:47 > 0:51:48I suppose what I'd say,
0:51:48 > 0:51:51based on what you've explained about the number of times you
0:51:51 > 0:51:53go to the gym and what you do,
0:51:53 > 0:51:56I feel your programme isn't giving you enough back.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00So, how are you feeling about today? Apprehensive...
0:52:00 > 0:52:03I think that was a really important moment for Octavia.
0:52:03 > 0:52:07I think she has built up a wall around her.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11She's accepted how she is
0:52:11 > 0:52:15but it does seem that wall is very fragile
0:52:15 > 0:52:17and she has to be really careful
0:52:17 > 0:52:20because she does need to improve her health.
0:52:20 > 0:52:31She knows that but in order to do that she has to feel
0:52:31 > 0:52:36Now I'm back in Shrewsbury to find out how her life has changed
0:52:36 > 0:52:39after her second birthday. Hi, Clair. Look at your bump.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42My God, you look amazing!
0:52:42 > 0:52:44How are you? Hi, how are you?
0:52:44 > 0:52:49So, since I saw you last, in your gown of glory in hospital
0:52:49 > 0:52:52how have you been? Really good
0:52:52 > 0:52:56Erm, I've lost a stone and a half since I've had it done. Wow!
0:52:56 > 0:53:03In one month? Yeah. Can I see one of your frozen baby food portions?
0:53:03 > 0:53:04You can.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07Clair's diet is now restricted to tiny portions and
0:53:07 > 0:53:12until her stomach gets used to solid food again, she's on a menu of mush.
0:53:12 > 0:53:17Amazing, so is that one meal? Yeah. I wouldn't eat all that.
0:53:17 > 0:53:22When my stomach was, kind of, that size before. Wow!
0:53:22 > 0:53:25How big is your stomach now? That big.
0:53:27 > 0:53:31So, your stomach is that big? Yeah. The size of an egg.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35Yeah. Why do you think something like losing weight,
0:53:35 > 0:53:38that potentially could be thought of as not that big a deal,
0:53:38 > 0:53:42why has that made such a big difference to how you feel about yourself?
0:53:42 > 0:53:45How you feel about your future and how you feel as a mum?
0:53:45 > 0:53:47It's all the possibilities.
0:53:47 > 0:53:51There's the possibility of coming off all the medication, that I seem
0:53:51 > 0:53:55to have been on for ever, that has had such a huge effect on my life.
0:53:55 > 0:54:02There's the possibility of getting a job and not having that crisis
0:54:02 > 0:54:07of confidence of who's going to want to employ me, when I look like this.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11You know, I've got more energy I'm doing things that I haven't
0:54:11 > 0:54:17done for years with the boys and my confidence has been boosted
0:54:17 > 0:54:22How old do you feel now? I feel in my early 20s.
0:54:22 > 0:54:26It's surprising that a month ago, waking up and being full of
0:54:26 > 0:54:31dread about what the day was going to bring and now I'm ready for anything.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33Ready, boys?
0:54:33 > 0:54:39Yeah! Bon appetit. Ben, Lewis. Thank you.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42Have you noticed Mum being different the last month?
0:54:42 > 0:54:45I know she's been shrinking in size, I know that.
0:54:46 > 0:54:51When I was young I had a mum who could run around and take me
0:54:51 > 0:54:56anywhere but I'm happy to get that mum back again.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59Is life better? 100% better.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01We've now got a future.
0:55:01 > 0:55:05I want to see my kids have kids and I want to see their grandkids,
0:55:05 > 0:55:09like my grandparents have seen their great-grandchildren.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13And now I stand a chance of it
0:55:14 > 0:55:20It's been so fantastic seeing Clair today. It's just gone really well.
0:55:20 > 0:55:25She seems so much happier, she's decreasing her medication
0:55:25 > 0:55:29she's got some amazing goals to get off her steroids completely
0:55:29 > 0:55:34she feels like a young woman rather than an old age pensioner.
0:55:35 > 0:55:39I'm just so happy for her and her family.
0:55:43 > 0:55:47Since filming, Octavia's got herself a personal trainer to help her
0:55:47 > 0:55:50get the most out of her exercise.
0:55:50 > 0:55:54She's also trying a new gluten free diet to see if that helps.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59Since Tom's operation, he's lost a further stone and three pounds.
0:55:59 > 0:56:03He's improved his diet and recently had a blood test,
0:56:03 > 0:56:06which indicates his liver has started to heal.
0:56:08 > 0:56:10Eating healthily and regular exercise have made Rebecca
0:56:10 > 0:56:13a stone and a half lighter.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15She still attends her classes
0:56:15 > 0:56:18and is busy planning her wedding as a slimmer bride.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23# Yeah, baby, it hurts a bunch
0:56:23 > 0:56:26# The girls got going and we had a munch
0:56:26 > 0:56:28# I promise on a dime it's the last time
0:56:28 > 0:56:30# I'll ever have a liquid lunch
0:56:30 > 0:56:32# Yeah, baby, it hurts a bunch
0:56:32 > 0:56:34# The girls got going and we had a munch
0:56:34 > 0:56:36# I promise on a dime it's the last time
0:56:36 > 0:56:38# I'll ever have a liquid lunch
0:56:38 > 0:56:40# Yeah, baby, it hurts a bunch
0:56:40 > 0:56:42# The girls got going and we had a munch
0:56:42 > 0:56:44# I promise on a dime it's the last time. #
0:56:44 > 0:56:48Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd