More than a quarter of obese and overweight people are not interested in losing weight and many of them are ignorant of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, according to a new survey by Cancer Research UK.
More than half of the 4000 men and women who took part in the survey were overweight or obese but 87 per cent of obese people and 32 per cent of overweight people could not identify their correct weight category.
Being obese or overweight increases cancer risk but 71 per cent of those at risk because of their weight did not know of the cancer connection.
Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, said: “These results show far too many of those at greatest risk are choosing to ignore their weight. They are unaware of their increased risk of cancer and unaware of many of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”
Nearly 50 per cent of obese and overweight people did not believe that eating healthily could help reduce cancer risk; almost two thirds (64 per cent) were unaware that regular exercise could reduce risk and more than 80 per cent did not know the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight.
Almost 80 per cent failed to recognise the importance of moderation when drinking alcohol to reduce cancer risk. More than 4000 men and women from across the United Kingdom were interviewed by BMRB to investigate perceptions and attitudes to carrying extra weight and knowledge of the associated risk of cancer.
Caroline Swain, Executive Director of Weight Concern said, “The survey findings highlight a widespread lack of concern about obesity. Education and support are a vital component in tackling the alarming rise in obesity in this country.”
The new survey coincides with the launch of the second year of Cancer Research UK’s Reduce the Risk campaign. Reduce the Risk aims to raise awareness of the avoidable risks of cancer and highlight ways to reduce this risk. Ten Top Tips form a key element of this year’s campaign.
Being obese or overweight is one of the most significant preventable causes of cancer in non-smokers yet rates of obesity are increasing. Obesity is linked with an increased risk of bowel, kidney, oesophageal and stomach cancers, as well as cancer of the womb and breast cancer in post-menopausal women.
