The majority of people with obesity are trying to lose weight yet almost three-quarters fail to achieve any clinically meaningful weight loss in a year, a survey shows. 

And about a third actually gain kilos despite using various weight loss strategies including dieting and exercise, medication and weight loss services. 

According to a survey of 1850 adults with clinical obesity in six Western European countries, 79% had attempted to reduce their body weight in the 12 months to June 2021. 

Of those who tried to lose weight, 78% reported no clinical weight loss — at least 5% of their bodyweight — according to the findings presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity in the Netherlands last week.