These results are refreshing because TV is so often associated with the couch potato lifestyle

Dr Vivienne Press

The BBC Fighting Fit, Fighting Fat campaign ran throughout January 1999 attracting around seven million viewers.

The programmes advised people on diet, exercise and lifestyle and suggested ways to avoid coronary disease.

More than 2,000 people who tuned in were asked by researchers what difference watching the programme had made to their diet and exercise habits.

More than 50% of those taking part in the survey reported weight loss by the end of the series.

The percentage of those taking up exercise and enjoying a better diet was also up.

Positive impact

Lead researcher Jane Wardle, of University College, London, said it showed that such campaigns could have a positive impact on the way people lived their lives.

She said: "This research shows that campaigns like Fighting Fit, Fighting Fat genuinely help people make positive changes to their eating and fitness habits, at least in the short term."

Dr Vivienne Press of the British Heart Foundation was also impressed with the results of the research.

She said: "This is good news in the fight against coronary heart disease.

"These results are refreshing because TV is so often associated with the couch potato lifestyle."