10m Brits ‘unaware they are obese’

New research published today shows that three in four people are unaware they are overweight or obese.

According to a poll from Slimming World and YouGov, only seven per cent of people believed that their weight problem is significant enough for them to be classified as obese, although 27 per cent fell into this category.

Experts have said the results are due to a rapid rise in obesity, leaving ten million people unaware that their health is at risk.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s head of nutrition, said: “For years experts have agreed that losing just ten per cent body weight can lead to significant improvements in health ? but if people don’t even realise they have a serious weight problem, it can be difficult to address.”

Factors contributing to obesity varied nationwide, with respondents in the north citing alcohol as a problem, while Londoners said eating out was to blame, while Welsh people claimed chocolate was the main reason for their weight gain.

“While the general rise in obesity is causing people to underestimate the severity of their own weight problem, it’s clear that many people do want to slim down and more than half of respondents say they would consider at least one weight loss option,” Dr Lavin added.