We all might fantasise about losing a bit of weight and what effect it would have on our lives.

But for people who have been diagnosed obese, scientists have discovered another, critical incentive to help inspire people to shed the pounds.

Just losing ten per cent of your body weight can have a dramatic impact on your sex life if you have a body mass index of 41 (30 or above is considered obese), according to researchers at Duke University.

Speaking at The Obesity Society, psychologist Martin Binks said: "You reap a lot of benefit from a moderate weight loss of ten per cent," reports thirdage.com.

"It's a wonderful message. You don't have to reach some ideal weight to be healthy and happy.

However, he added: "Not everybody who is obese is having a bad time sexually, just like not everybody who is obese has diabetes, but it's more common than we thought."

Be fit, be healthy and have tons of sex if you want to - that's our advice!

Sign up to Harlot Newsletter

Want to advertise in Scarlet, Harlot or this website? Click here and download our media pack which has all the information you need.

Scarlet Media Pack 2008