Some underlying medical conditions may contribute to weight gain, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome. However if the conditions are properly diagnosed and treated, they should not be a barrier to weight loss. Excess body fat contributes to around 58% of cases of type 2 diabetes, 21% of heart disease and between 8% and 42% of certain cancers ( breast, colon and endometrial) (DH, 2003). However, the point at which the level of body fat becomes risky to health varies between ethnic groups. In addition, the prevalence of some of these health conditions is far greater among black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups- despite the fact that rates of obesity among these groups are similar to ( or lower than) the rate among the white
