Alfreton, DerbyshireSlimming World is a British company which runs over 5,500 weight loss classes a week across the UK. Adults who are seven or more pounds overweight may join a local Slimming World class and pay a weekly fee to attend classes. In 2007 the cost on joining was £10 and the weekly charge £4.50. Slimming World calls its diet plan "Food Optimising." Classes are led by self-employed consultants. In October 2007 there were over 2,500 Slimming World consultants running groups across the UK. At each class members are weighed and the loss or gain is shared with the group. At no time is a member's actual weight mentioned. During classes members also share tips, experiences, and ask for advice. Prizes are given for the "slimmer of the week" and "slimmer of the month." Consultants do not have quotas to meet for total weight loss among their membership.Slimming World was founded in 1969 by Margaret Miles-Bramwell, who serves as chairman. Caryl Richards has been managing director of the company since 2001. Slimming World has 215 employees in its head office.

Scientists have made the world-first discovery that a pregnant woman's diet determines whether her baby grows into a fat adult or a skinny one... a mother's diet during pregnancy affects the baby's brain circuits, determining appetite and energy expenditure in their offspring.

Eating a Mediterranean diet - lots of fish, fresh fruits and vegetables and some dairy - during pregnancy could protect your unborn child from developing allergies or asthma

What an excellent source of information about postpartum diet for pregnancy. Anyone woman has been through this knows how difficult it can be to get back to that pre-pregnancy shape.

An increasing number of health care professionals don't see the need for supplements of vitamins and minerals, but it is possible to become deficient in these building blocks for the human body when we are under the stress of illness, pregnancy or aging.

Women who follow the famous Mediterranean diet while pregnant may also be shielding their baby from childhood asthma and allergy, a study published on Tuesday says.