The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has admitted he is struggling with his weight, urging people to take action to improve their health.

In a video released amid the launch of the government's anti-obesity strategy, the PM said that after recovering of the coronavirus, he had significantly lost weight. 

"I've always wanted to lose weight for ages and, I think like many people, I struggle with my weight - I go up and down.

"But since I recovered from coronavirus, I've been steadily building up my fitness.

"I don't want to make any excessive claims because I've only really just started concentrating on it, but I'm at least a stone down, I'm more than a stone down.

"But when I went into ICU (intensive care) when I was really ill... I was way overweight. I'm only about 5ft 10 at the outside and I was too fat.”

"I start the day by going for a run with the dog, quite a gentle run but actually getting faster and faster now as I get fitter.

“And the great thing about going for a run at the beginning of the day is that nothing can be worse for the rest of the day. If you really go in hard if you really take some exercise at the beginning the rest of the day will be a breeze.”

"There are health reasons, but it also makes you feel much better.

"And that's the number one thing, you actually feel more full of energy if you can get your weight down.

"And the other thing is that if you can get your weight down a bit and protect your health, you'll also be protecting the NHS."