300,000 obese Scots believe they're thin

A survey found that "fairground mirror syndrome" could affect as many as 300,000 people in Scotland, who believe they are slimmer than average when they are actually in the fattest 25 per cent of the population.A YouGov poll found 6 per cent of Scots were defined as obese but considered themselves average or below average weight.The research comes as Lloyds pharmacy branches start offering services to help people manage their weight.

"This isn't denial, it's delusion," said Melinda Setanoians, a weight management expert and pharmacist at Lloyds in Wishaw, Lanarkshire."There are many reasons why people may be failing to see their true proportions – perhaps it's because they are still squeezing into clothes they wore in slimmer days, or maybe friends and family are fuelling denial by telling a few well-intentioned white lies."The health implications of obesity are more difficult to ignore," she said."Through our programme, we are encouraging people to take action before the excess pounds lead to major illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease."

The research also found that people could also believe they were overweight when they were underweight.Almost 10 per cent of people whose BMI was clinically underweight thought they were in the heaviest half of the population.

Glasgow Youth Film Festival 2010 - call for young people to make one minute movies

The Glasgow Youth Film Festival, which takes place from the 7th - 15th February, is calling for entries for the One-Minute Filmmaking Competition for young people. The competition is open to young people aged 14-19 years, as individuals or in groups, from across the whole of Scotland. Prizes include an IPOD Touch, film-making software and FOPP vouchers.

Click here for more information and how to enter.