Twenty five percent of the population in Britain is obese, but the vast majority deny how severely their weight could be affecting their health, according to research.
Only six per cent of overweight people believe their weight is bad enough to be classified in that category or they should be described as obese, a survey found, according to a survey published today.
A person would be considered as obese, when he has a body mass index (BMI) above 30 while a healthy score ranges from 18.5 to 25.
According to the latest government figures, more than 60 per cent of adults in England and a third of 10 and 11 year olds are overweight.
Britain’s obesity epidemic is reaching crisis point as the National Health Service (NHS) struggles to cope with increasing numbers of patients with conditions caused or exacerbated by being overweight.
According to the latest government figures, more than 60 per cent of adults in England and a third of 10 and 11 year olds are overweight.
Dr Jacquie Lavin, the head of nutrition and research at Slimming World, which conducted the survey, said: “This worrying new data reveals the complex psychological issues associated with being overweight.
Obesity and chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes cost Britain US$ 32 billion dollars (£20 billion) a year in lost productivity, it was claimed last month, while studies show that people fail to recognize obesity in their own family members, especially when they live in areas where being overweight is common.
Twenty five percent of the population in Britain is obese, but the vast majority deny how severely their weight could be affecting their health, according to research.
Only six per cent of overweight people believe their weight is bad enough to be classified in that category or they should be described as obese, a survey found, according to a survey published today.
A person would be considered as obese, when he has a body mass index (BMI) above 30 while a healthy score ranges from 18.5 to 25.
According to the latest government figures, more than 60 per cent of adults in England and a third of 10 and 11 year-olds are overweight.
Britain’s obesity epidemic is reaching crisis point as the National Health Service (NHS) struggles to cope with increasing numbers of patients with conditions caused or exacerbated by being overweight.
According to the latest government figures, more than 60 per cent of adults in England and a third of 10 and 11 year-olds are overweight.
Dr Jacquie Lavin, the head of nutrition and research at Slimming World, which conducted the survey, said: “This worrying new data reveals the complex psychological issues associated with being overweight.
Obesity and chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes cost Britain US$ 32 billion dollars (£20 billion) a year in lost productivity, it was claimed last month, while studies show that people fail to recognise obesity in their own family members, especially when they live in areas where being overweight is common.
According to the Bupa Health Pulse poll, four in 10 people who were actually obese thought they were a ‘healthy’ weight, suggesting Britons are ‘blissfully unaware’ of the dangers of eating too much and not taking enough exercise.
According to the Bupa Health Pulse poll, four in 10 people who were actually obese thought they were a ‘healthy’ weight, suggesting Britons are ‘blissfully unaware’ of the dangers of eating too much and not taking enough exercise.