My niece put on four stone in a year – I’m worried about her

DEAR DEIDRE: I MET my niece last week to exchange Christmas gifts and I was horrified.

She must have put on four stone over the past year.

When I last saw my niece she looked obese, had no make-up and wore slobby clothesCredit: Getty

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It is my brother’s daughter and she had a tough childhood, as he and his partner were alcoholics.

When she was 18, her mum died and she came to live with me.

She was very overweight and I got her on a strict diet.

She lost three stone and looked beautiful, finally taking pride in her appearance.

Now she is 20 and I’m 41.

At the start of the year she met a boy online and moved 150 miles to be with him.

But she looked obese, had no make-up and wore slobby clothes.

She seems to have no friends and I worry for her health and mental state.

DEIDRE SAYS: Loving support and raised self-esteem would help your niece better care for her health.

Strict diets rarely work long-term.

Message and FaceTime regularly.

Ask her how she feels and listen rather than give advice.