'Don't just tell someone to lose weight, ask can you help them'

Deirdre Murphy, with her two children Charlie and Sarah. Picture: Maura Murphy, Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity

Until 2017, Deirdre Murphy and her husband, Alan, suffered from obesity. The Dublin-based couple tried every diet, shake, programme, even hypnotherapy, but Ms Murphy said it was a “vicious cycle” as after every diet they would put the weight back on, and sometimes more.

Five years ago, they both had bariatric surgery. Mr Murphy lost 12 stone, and Ms Murphy lost 10.