By David Derbyshire
Last updated at 8:14 AM on 22nd December 2010
When it comes to losing weight, British women just don’t measure up. Although one in three have been on a diet in the last 12 months, a rather hefty proportion – 86 per cent – failed to lose any long-term weight, researchers found.
These less than impressive results mean British women are worse dieters than those in France, Brazil, China, Germany and even the United States – home to some of the world’s chubbiest people.
The findings come from a survey of 1,534 women around the world carried out by a market research firm.
Weakness: British women are rapidly getting fatter while at the same time falling short on diet commitments (posed)
Although they fail to shake off much weight, British women certainly do brilliantly at putting it on. Thirty-four per cent said they had gained pounds since last year, compared to 19 per cent of German women.
Half of British women questioned also said they exercised for less than three hours per week – managing just 25 minutes per day.
The minimum advised by Government health chiefs is 30 minutes per day. French and American women exercised the least, with almost a quarter saying they do less than half an hour per week.
British women also had the second highest rate of reliance on convenience food in the survey, with 13 per cent saying they were dependent on ready meals and sauces.
In the U.S., this figure was 20 per cent, but every other country surveyed was in single figures – with France and Germany at a mere 6 per cent.
Women in the UK are also more likely to eat in front of the TV than any other nation surveyed. Around 37 per cent regularly had TV dinners, higher even than in America where 29 per cent eat in front of the telly.
Women in the United States also had the lowest rate of dieting of everyone surveyed, with just a quarter having dieted in the past 12 months. German women were the best at keeping their weight steady, with two thirds claiming they neither put on or lost weight.
‘We are a nation of yo-yo dieters,’ said health and food writer Sarah Lockett. ‘While we’re good at starting diets, when we lose weight or fall off the wagon we revert to our old bad habits.’
TV dinner: Around 37 per cent of British women regularly eat in front of the television, eight per cent more than America
She added: ‘In Britain we simply don’t have a very healthy way of shopping and eating as they do in France, China or Germany. France is famous for its love of fresh and healthy foods, plus they have good portion control. We lack that in Britain.’
Obesity has become a growing problem in the UK. In 1980 six per cent of British men and eight per cent of women were obese. Twenty years later, 22 per cent of men and 23 per cent of women were obese. If the trends continue, one thirds of adults and half of all children will be obese by 2020.
Diet experts say viruses may explain part of the rise but – in an age of labour - saving devices, motor cars and home entertainment – most people are simply doing too little exercise. At the same time, high-fat, high-sugar foods are more widely available than ever before.
Miss Lockett, said: ‘It’s ironic that Britons consider themselves to be trying their hardest to get rid of excess weight, but are least successful at it. As the comparison with women in other countries shows, there is no secret to
successful weight management.
‘A healthy attitude to food is the answer, plus addressing the emotional reasons why many of us overeat.
She added: ‘Cooking from scratch and eating together as a family really do make a significant difference to more than just mealtimes. These factors can have a huge impact on health and weight.’
No comments:
Post a Comment