'I'm a nutritionist - these 5 botanical supplements act as gentler alternatives to weight loss jabs'

About a third of children, around 36 per cent, are also overweight or obese, which can lead to a whole range of diet-related health issues, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

What's driving this health crisis, according to Dr Derbyshire, is something called an "obesogenic environment" – meaning we're surrounded by factors that make gaining weight almost inevitable.

These include spending too much time sitting down, excessive screen use, and what Dr Derbyshire calls "snackification"; the habit of constant snacking that's become particularly common among children.

Fluid calories are another culprit, along with foods designed to be irresistibly tasty.

Ultra-processed foods have become a massive part of the problem. They now make up about 60 per cent of the typical British diet, and we're consuming roughly double the amount of free sugars we should be.

"Food is a pleasure, and now and again is okay, but we need to really get this back into proportion," Dr Derbyshire said.

The health consequences are serious, as epidemiological research has linked ultra-processed food consumption to cancer, heart disease, mental health problems and increased mortality rates.

When it comes to tackling this crisis, GLP-1 receptor agonist medications have been making headlines.

These drugs work by up-regulating the body's natural GLP-1 receptors, which control blood sugar levels, appetite and feelings of fullness.

The results can be impressive, with users seeing weight losses of up to 20 per cent or more of their body weight.

But there are downsides; people can lose muscle mass alongside the fat, and once they stop taking the medication, the weight often comes back.

Meal replacement shakes offer another option, providing structure and protein that helps people feel satisfied. However, Dr Derbyshire warns that neither approach addresses the psychological side of overeating.

"It's really just putting a plaster over the root cause or the root problem," she said.

The good news is that natural alternatives are emerging, with botanical compounds showing real promise backed by growing scientific evidence.

Green tea catechins have been studied both as a drink and in supplement form, with research suggesting they may help reduce body weight, BMI and waist circumference when combined with a healthy, balanced diet.

Curcumin is another fascinating option. Dr Derbyshire was surprised by just how much research exists on this anti-inflammatory compound, with numerous gold-standard meta-analyses published.

"Overweight and obesity are inflammatory conditions," she explained, noting that curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties could be particularly beneficial.

Then there's resveratrol, found in red wine, berries and dark chocolate. Studies suggest it may influence how fat cells develop, potentially affecting BMI and waist measurements.

Fibre is set to become a major talking point, particularly given the UK's 10-gram fibre gap. Glucomannan, a natural soluble fibre, has been found to help regulate blood sugar levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic adults.

It also slows gastric emptying – the time food takes to pass through the stomach – which affects how hungry we feel.

Hibiscus extracts are showing exciting results too, with evidence pointing to reductions in body weight, BMI and body fat. The botanical works through anti-inflammatory mechanisms and appears to influence fat cells directly.

Studies show stronger findings in people who are already overweight or obese.

These natural compounds can stimulate appetite hormones like leptin, offering a way to support the body's own GLP-1 secretion without medication.