Six in ten Brits reckon they are healthy – but in reality are far from it, a survey has found.
Researchers found one in five adults describe themselves as ‘ft and well’ while regularly snacking on crisps, biscuits and chocolate bars twice-a-day.
And while the majority admit they are overweight, more than half still insist they are ‘healthy’.
Shockingly, seven out of ten adults said only a heart attack would cause them to overhaul their lifestyle.
The research also found another seven out of ten have never had their blood pressure checked and six in ten have no idea what their cholesterol level is.
A third said they weren’t even aware how much they weighed.
Shafeeque Mohammed, heart health expert at Lloydspharmacy, which commissioned the report, said: ”It’s worrying to see that Brits aren’t listening to health warnings and are continuing with a lifestyle that is so damaging to their health.
”It seems for many, ignorance is bliss and they would prefer to bury their heads in the sand than take action.
”One in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure, which means they are increasing the chance of becoming ill if they continue with an unhealthy lifestyle.
”People are taking unnecessary risks by failing to get their blood pressure checked out – it’s a vital statistic that everyone should know about themselves.
”High blood pressure often has no symptoms until it has become extremely severe and is the biggest killer through stroke and heart attacks.
”That’s why we are inviting all adults in the UK to have their blood pressure tested in-pharmacy for free.”
The nationwide survey, which polled 3,000 adults over 30, revealed many are clueless as to what constitutes ‘healthy’.
One in six said having a ’25-29.9′ Body Mass Index was ‘normal’ when it in fact means you are overweight.
And one in ten think 20g of salt is an acceptable daily level – when in fact it is more than three times the recommended daily allowance for an adult.
It also emerged the average Brit works up a sweat fewer than three times a week with each session lasting a measly 24 minutes.
More than a third said it has been a month or longer since they have exercised.
A quarter admit they try and avoid any forms of exercise, while six in ten consider running up a flight of stairs or lifting shopping out of the car as their day’s worth of strenuous activity.
They spend at least an hour sat in the car each day with 55 per cent slumped behind their computer for eight hours straight. They then get home and slouch on their sofa watching TV for three hours a night, with one in ten admitting to scoffing at least three takeaways a week.
