A young woman who at her heaviest got stuck on a water slide has gone on to lose almost half her body weight, reverse the effects of liver disease and be named ‘slimmer of the year’.

Isabelle Kennedy was 15 when she was diagnosed with liver disease and weighed 20st 11lbs (132kg) at the time, having started gaining weight when she was four.

Doctors offered the teenager weight loss surgery but instead she decided to slim down on her own. In less than three years she lost 9st 8lbs (61kg), dropped six dress sizes and was discharged from hospital with the effects of her liver disease reversed.

Now 18, Ms Kennedy, from Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, joined Slimming World in 2014 and followed their plan for 11 to 15-year-olds. She dropped from a size 22/24 to a 10/12 and now weighs 11st 3lbs (71kg), after being inspired to join the weight loss group by her mother.

“My mum’s lost 5st now too – so we’ve lost more than 14st between us,” she said.

After gaining 8st at senior school, she swapped snacks of chocolate and crisps bought on the way in for fat-free yogurt and fruit.

Isabelle Kennedy lost 9st 8lbs to be named Slimming World's Young Slimmer of the Year 2017(Nick Ansell/PA)

“I hit my target weight in February this year and I’ve maintained my weight loss for five months now, even during my exams, so I’m definitely confident I’ve discovered healthy habits that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” she said.

Glasgow Times:

The teenager has now been dubbed Slimming World’s young slimmer of the year 2017, a prize open to those aged between 16 and 21 and voted for by members. She said the title is a “brilliant bonus”.

Ms Kennedy reached her goal weight in February and hopes to attend university in October to study psychology.