LOUISE

Louise discovers first hand the dangers of the current obsession with being stick thin when she undertakes an extreme crash diet and exercise regime in an attempt to drop to a US dress size zero in just 30 days.

Almost 6 million viewers tuned into ITV1 to witness Louise Redknapp enduring a punishing experiment in an attempt to fit into a size zero dress. The 30 day ordeal followed Louise to LA and back and closely monitored her journey as she shrunk from a healthy size eight to a dangerously thin size four (US 0). The 90 minute documentary served to expose the dangers of extreme dieting and highlighted the pressures on young women today.

With almost one third of the audience share ‘The Truth About Size Zero’ had an unprecedented impact on British viewers. The demographic make-up comprised a massive proportion of ABC1’s and is being regarded within broadcasting as one of the ‘hits of the year’. The Times commented ‘this programme should be watched by every teenage girl in the country’ and being that it far exceeded the average viewing figures for the time slot is looks like it probably was!

Louise has since regained her curves but her personal journey has certainly left its mark.

In The Truth about Size Zero Louise undergoes a punishing plan to dramatically lose weight and attempt to drop two dress sizes. The programme highlights the risks of subjecting the body to such extreme measures and reveals the real effects extreme dieting and exercise techniques have on the body.

Louise has already undergone the month long experiment and was closely monitored by a doctor at every stage. She is now putting the weight back on gradually with the help of a doctor.

The show also sees Louise travelling to LA to take part in military style fitness boot camps and get diet advice.

Louise, who was voted FHM's Sexiest Woman of the Decade, meets celebrities who have felt the pressures to be super skinny - including Mel C and Denise Van Outen.

And she talks to people from all walks of life who have been touched by the 'thinspiration' trend; from magazine editors, agents, models and casting directors, to patients as young as 12 at an eating disorders clinic.

Louise says: "I've felt that pressure to be stick thin and wanted to highlight the damage young girls can do to their bodies by subjecting themselves to punishing, unhealthy regimes in a desperate bid to lose weight. This experiment is not something I undertook lightly and by doing so I hope it helps people to see the real dangers of the extreme skinny look.

" It is not glamorous or sexy in the least. Having done the plan for a month I was really relieved to be able to eat normally and healthily again. Extreme regimes such as this have a negative impact on both the body and mind. It is something I would never do again.

" The regime was almost near impossible to keep up with as a working mum and it means making huge sacrifices in other areas of your life."

Layla Smith, Controller of Alternative Programmes at ITV said "Dangerously thin celebrities have been on the front of countless magazines and size zero has become the debate of the moment. The Truth About Size Zero will show exactly how damaging the pursuit of the lollipop look really is. Louise was the perfect person to reveal just how far you have to change your life to make this look a reality."