When most of her fellow students were out socialising and enjoying university life, at nearly 18 stone Leanne Needham was so overweight she had to skip classes because she could not fit into the seats in the lecture theatre.
But now the 21-year-old, who was bullied at school, has been crowned young slimmer of the year after losing seven stone.
Leanne, from Sheffield, who was classed as morbidly obese by doctors, went from a size 22 to size 10 in the space of two years.
Young Slimmer of the Year: Leanne Needham, who now weighs 10st 7lbs, poses with a picture of her 17st 10lbs self
Miss Needham, who graduated with a first class degree in psychology from Sheffield Hallam University and is now hoping to become a teacher, went from 17st 10lbs when she started Slimming World classes in June 2007 to her current weight of 10st 7lbs.
'By the age of 17 I weighed more than my age - and more than my dad,' she said. 'I'd been bullied since the age of 10 because of my size - a classmate once told me it was time I went to a 'fat club'.
'I couldn't fit comfortably into the seats at uni so I began to skip lectures and my grades began to suffer. When my doctor said that losing weight could help me overcome these problems I knew I had to make a change.'
In December, she completed a 22-mile charity swim at a pool in Sheffield over a four week period.
Humiliating: Leanne was encouraged to drop from a dress size 22 to size 10 after feeling embarrassed about her weight
Perfect 10: Since losing the weight the 21-year-old has much more confidence and loves socialising
She said her weight loss had changed her life and presented her with new opportunities.
'When you are overweight and your confidence is low, you are easily knocked,' she said. 'At the same time, people can be quite insensitive. Once, when getting into the inflatable ring to ride the slide at a water park, the lifeguard told me to go behind my boyfriend as the heaviest had to go at the back. I was so humiliated I wanted to be sick. I ran off crying and refused to go on any other rides.
'Now, though, I'm really outgoing and love socialising. My friendships have improved, people say I'm like a new person.'
Miss Needham was unveiled as Slimming World's Young Slimmer of the Year 2009 at a press conference at The Ritz hotel in London.
Her mother, Eileen, 45, a librarian, said she was proud of her daughter's achievement.
'It was when the doctor told her that she was morbidly obese that she realised that she had to change her life,' said Mrs Needham.
The student was supported by her father Ian, 47, a builder, her sister Rachael, 20, and boyfriend of five years Scott Staples, 21, in losing the weight.
'Losing weight has given me a whole new perspective,' she said. 'I'm happier, healthier and I'm working towards a dream career.'
Miss Needham received a £2,000 cash prize and a personal DVD player after being crowned with the title, open to 15 to 21-year-olds.
She will be presented with a trophy at an awards ceremony in November.
'It's a great story of the changes she has made to her life,' said a Slimming World spokeswoman.
'She feels much better within herself and looks great.'
Ref: dailymail.co.uk
