[Kaz]

Article from BBC Website:

Big Brother winner Cameron Stout has emerged from his latest residential challenge almost two stones lighter.
Cameron has been taking part in a nine-week study at the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen.

The research into the effectiveness of high protein, low carbohydrate, Atkins-type diets is due to be completed next May.

Cameron, a junk food fan, wanted to lose weight for a panto role and managed to shed almost 12kg.

An estimated three million people have tried the low-carb diets, but there is still no scientifically-proven reason why such regimes should work.

Research leader Dr Alex Johnstone, a weight loss expert based at the institute, said: "What we're specifically interested in, the study Cameron has just participated in, is how the protein and carbohydrate content of the diet interact.

"Cameron's been great, he's been a great ambassador for the Rowett and a great volunteer."

The study involved men aged 20-55 who lived within the Human Nutrition Unit of the institute for nine weeks, but who were able to attend work. Throughout that time, researchers conducting the study provided all the volunteers' food for eight weeks and monitored their general health.

Cameron said he would try to keep up a proper diet as he entered the "hectic" panto season. He added: "Sizewise, I can feel a difference, particularly in my trousers.

"It's been absolutely great, you've got two people preparing your food and the food has been so good, you don't sit down and eat lettuce and goat's cheese for every meal."

He said he was looking forward to going home to Orkney for a home cooked meal and he also planned to celebrate with a bag of home-made tablet.

The Rowett Research Institute is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for nutrition studies, which undertakes research to improve food quality and prevent disease.

The study has been funded by the Scottish Executive environment and rural affairs department.

Well done, Cameron.

.....he also planned to celebrate with a bag of home-made tablet.

That's only about 5,000 calories worth then!!

[Romantic Old Bird]

Well, I can certainly vouch for Low carb diets. I have now lost 6st 8lb since 24th January, and am just taking the last stone off very gently.

It works! Especially if you go to the gym as well. Who'd have thought that I would be spoilt for choice for a christmas out fit , rather than just buying the least hideous thing I could find that fitted!!

[Amy]

Another article....

Big Brother star Cameron sheds two stones in diet experiment

REALITY TV star Cameron Stout isn't such a Big Brother any more - after losing nearly two stones during a nine-week diet experiment. The Orkney fishmonger lost the weight after signing up to help test the effectiveness of Atkins-style low-carbohydrate diets.

But despite now being free to feast on whatever he fancies, the 33-year-old former junk food devotee said he will be sticking to dishes approved by the scientists.

He said: 'Because the diet was paid for by the Scottish Executive, I would feel like I was wasting taxpayers' cash if I put all the weight back on again.

'But to be honest, it hasn't been that bad. The food has been varied so I wasn't tempted by snacks.

'Everyone knew me before as Mr No Willpower. I would cook a whole pot of spaghetti bolognese and eat the lot. Now I've learnt to only eat until I'm full.

'And as far as snacking goes, the next time I visit a petrol station, I'll make sure I'm filling up on petrol, not filling upon chocolate.'

Cameron volunteered when Aberdeen's Rowett Institute advertised for overweight men aged 20-55 to take part in nutrition research.

He hoped it would help him to shift the pounds ahead of his starring role as Prince Charming in panto this year.

Cameron has spent the past nine weeks eating only food approved by boffins at the research centre.

He was surprised to discover he was allowed to eat the likes of chicken curry and chilli.

But the biggest shock for the Big Brother 2003 winner came when he walked into the Rowett and found CCTV cameras in all the rooms to ensure the volunteers didn't cheat - which reminded him of his time on the Channel 4 show.

He added:'It was strange to find I was on camera all the time again.

'Some people couldn't handle that but you have to take it on board as a new kind of experience and take it as it comes.

'Obviously, I was used to it and it made sure there was no way any of us could lapse on the diet. I'm just glad I didn't because it feels great to have lost so much weight.'

Researcher Dr Alex Johnstone said: 'I'm really pleased that Cameron lost so much weight.

'But for us,that wasn't the main aim. We wanted to find out why people manage to stick to diets like Atkins and why they work.

'Hopefully Cameron and the other volunteers have helped us achieve that.'

Article from Daily Record

[Kaz]

Originally posted by Romantic Old Bird
Well, I can certainly vouch for Low carb diets. I have now lost 6st 8lb since 24th January, and am just taking the last stone off very gently.

It works! Especially if you go to the gym as well. Who'd have thought that I would be spoilt for choice for a christmas out fit , rather than just buying the least hideous thing I could find that fitted!!

That's fantastic, ROB! Congratulations!!!

Have you thought about bringing out a workout video a la Helen, Kate and Jade? I'd buy it!

[James]

Cameron at the Edinburgh International Science Festival

Do Diets Work? Presented by a scientist, a sociologist and Big Brother winner 2003 Cameron Stout!
Date(s): Sunday 3 April
Time(s): 6pm - 7pm
Venue: The Hub, Castle Hill



Why do we find it so difficult to lose weight and keep weight off? Cue Dr Alex Johnstone to discuss her current research which investigates mechanisms of weight loss, including Atkins-type diets. Could this research help provide new insights into if - and how - diets work? Come along and explore a few myths about obesity and weight loss.
Panellists:
Dr Alex Johnstone, nutritionist and weight-loss scientist
Cameron Stout, weight-loss research subject and winner of Big Brother 2003
Professor Matt Qvortrup, sociologist

Organised by The Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen

Website