BOGOFs, Takeaways and Gym Shame: Britain’s Weight Triggers

If your jeans felt a bit tighter by the end of 2025, you were in crowded company. A significant new report from weight loss clinic myBMI, based on 5,000 UK adults, suggests one in three British adults gained weight in 2025—a national nudge of the scales that can’t be pinned solely on festive buffets and broken gym promises.

For the almost 30 million adults who saw their weight increase, the culprits read like a modern British checklist: working from home, gym anxiety and body shaming, the siren call of takeaways, and supermarket promotions that make “two for one” feel like a personal challenge rather than a bargain.

The report also finds dissatisfaction with body weight is a cross-generational grind. Among Generation Z (18–28), 27% say they feel unhappy with their weight, rising to 34% among Generation X (45–60)—proof, if any were needed, that confidence doesn’t automatically arrive with age, wisdom, or a better kettle.

WFH is fueling weight gain (and some cities are sitting harder than others)

The report, titled “More than the scales: the impact of weight loss”, points to working from home as a major factor in creeping weight: almost a quarter of Brits said WFH had a negative impact.

Gen Z appears to be feeling it most sharply—almost a third reported WFH had a negative impact on their weight. Geography matters too. In the South East, 29% reported a negative impact compared with 19% in the North East, hinting that the “WFH lifestyle” isn’t the same from one postcode to the next.

And when it comes to the nation’s most sedentary cities, the list is a roll call of places where the chair seems to win more battles than the running shoe:

It’s not that anyone is choosing weight gain as a hobby. It’s that daily movement quietly disappears when your commute becomes twelve steps to the laptop and your “lunch break” is whatever you can eat while still answering emails.

BOGOF, takeaways and the real cost of “eating well”

Step away from the home office, and the nation’s weight struggles don’t exactly get easier. 31% of people said supermarket promotions—particularly Buy One Get One Free—had a negative impact on their weight. That’s not surprising in a country where a “deal” can feel like a moral victory.

Younger adults were more likely to blame BOGOF temptation: 38% of Gen Z reported a negative impact compared to 24% of Baby Boomers. Different generations, different habits—yet the same aisle, the same bright yellow sticker, and the same inner voice saying, “Well, it would be wasteful not to…”

Then there’s the takeaway economy. 40% of Brits think the availability of takeaways and junk food is impacting their weight. Convenience is no longer a luxury; it’s an entire infrastructure.

But the report doesn’t let “healthy eating” off the hook either. The cost of fruit and veg was seen as a barrier, with over a third saying it negatively affects their efforts. And crucially, it’s not only lower-income homes feeling squeezed: one in three households earning over £75,000 also reported the cost of healthy food as prohibitive. In other words: even when you can afford it, you may resent paying it—especially when cheaper calories are stacked high at the end of every aisle.

Gym shame: the invisible barrier to exercise

The report highlights a stubborn psychological obstacle that doesn’t show up on a treadmill display: over 35% of people said they felt anxious about being judged or lacked confidence in their body when going to the gym.

This is where the generational divide becomes a canyon. Gen Z is far more likely to feel “gym-shamed” (56%) compared to Baby Boomers (19%). That’s an uncomfortable statistic in a culture that insists social media is “just a bit of fun” while simultaneously turning mirrors into critics.

The geography of gym shame is just as telling. Belfast (49%), Manchester (41%), and Newcastle (40%) reported the highest sense of gym shame, which the report suggests can prevent people from exercising. Meanwhile, Southampton (31%), Leeds (30%), and Brighton (30%) reported the lowest levels—still not exactly a victory parade, but a sign that local culture and community can shift how safe people feel when trying to change their weight.

Do weight loss injections provide a ray of hope for 2026?

Looking ahead, the report suggests weight loss injections could become a major storyline of 2026. Around a third of Brits (32.2%) said they would try weight loss injections to manage their weight, with interest highest among Gen Z (44%) and Millennials (46%).

The report also claims these injections are influencing lives beyond the scales. Among Gen Z, 58% said weight loss injections improved their sex life. Across the broader public, around half reported an increase in confidence at work (51%) and an improvement in mental health (53%).

That combination—body change, confidence shift, mental lift—helps explain why this topic is moving from clinic corridors into everyday conversation. People aren’t just chasing weight loss; they’re chasing the version of themselves that feels more capable of living.

What myBMI’s expert says

Ayesha Bashir, weight loss injection expert and Prescribing Pharmacist at myBMI said: “Our report highlights that the nation is facing multiple challenges when it comes to accessing healthy food and exercising in a bid to lose weight.

“While many have revealed that they have gained weight over the past 12 months, there is a clear desire among the public to lose weight in the New Year, with 54% wishing to do so.

“With newfound confidence, improvements in mental health and positive changes in their personal and professional lives, weight loss injection users demonstrate that weight loss can be achievable despite the barriers many currently face.”

Ayesha’s top tips for weight loss in the New Year

If you want a more realistic approach to weight—one that survives supermarkets, WFH days, and the odd chaotic week—these are Ayesha’s practical takeaways:

• Prioritise value nutrition: Ultra-processed foods are cheap because they are designed in order to be filling but not necessarily nourishing. Prioritise staples that are high in fibre and protein such as frozen veg, beans, eggs and oats which will keep you fuller for longer and reduce cravings.
• Movement doesn’t need to look like exercise: Exercise can be daunting but getting up to walk for 5-10 minutes at a time can improve blood sugar, circulation and promote weight loss. This is especially important if you have a sedentary job.
• Mentality is everything: It is easy to slip into an “all-or-nothing” mindset. Focus on progress and remember that aiming for “better not perfect” will lead to healthier choices over a longer period of time.
• Avoid stress where possible: Financial pressure, time poverty, and social judgment all raise cortisol, which affects weight, sleep, and appetite. Prioritise sleep and hydration to improve your weight loss journey.
• Don’t let “willpower myths” undermine your progress: HPF (Hyper-Palatable Foods) and UPF (Ultra-Processed Foods) are designed to override hunger cues. This is biology and does not mean you lack willpower. Keep healthy snacks visible and convenient for you to have and eat regularly to avoid extreme hunger.
• Community matters: Your weight loss journey will be easier and more successful if you feel supported, rather than judged. Avoiding stigma and seeking out people and communities that celebrate your journey rather than judge it, is key.