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Britons too tired for sex
Ben Bailey10 Aug 2009
Britons are too lazy to run for a bus, climb two flights of stairs and regularly choose sleep over sex, according to a report out today.
Almost two out of three are so unfit they won't countenance walking up two flights of stairs and will opt to take the lift instead.
While some Brits (15%) are so lazy they would rather watch a television programme they do not like than get out of their chair to change channels if their remote control is broken.
While three-quarters of couples surveyed admitted to having trouble mustering enough energy at the end of the day for a night of passion with their partner.
More than half (58 per cent) of those blamed their barren sex lives on a lack of fitness.
Researchers questioned more than 2,000 adults for the not-for-profit healthcare organisation Nuffield Health and found more than half (59%) would get the lift rather than climb two flights of stairs to their workplace.
A third (36%) of those questioned said they would not run to catch a bus.
Of the 654 people with children, almost two-thirds (64%) said they were too tired to play with them, leading the report to conclude it was “no wonder” one in six children are classified as obese before they start school according to Department of Health statistics.
Of the 456 dog owners quizzed, more than half (52%) said they could not be bothered to walk their pet.
Three-quarters (73%) of people said they regularly have too little energy at the end of the day for passion with their partner.
Dr Sarah Dauncey, medical director of Nuffield Health, said: “People need to get fitter, not just for their own sake, but for the sake of their families, friends and evidently their pets too.
“If we don't start to take control of this problem, a whole generation will become too unfit to perform even the most rudimentary of tasks.
“Ready-meals, remote controls and even internet shopping are all contributing to a dangerously lazy and idle Britain.
“The nation has fallen into a vicious circle of laziness that we must put a stop to.”
The Nuffield Health Fitness Report included a top 10 of the laziest cities, based on how many people admitted they do not exercise at least three times a week.
Glasgow topped the table with 75%, followed by Birmingham and Southampton (both 67%), London (66%), Bristol (64%), Leeds and Newcastle (both 62%), Norwich (60%), Manchester (59%) and Cardiff (58%).
The survey did offer some hope with almost three out of 10 (28%) of respondents saying they would be prepared to step up their fitness regime if they felt it would make them more attractive to their partner.
The results raised questions about whether Government education campaigns are succeeding in encouraging people to get healthy.
Shadow Health Minster Andrew Lansley said the findings showed people need to start taking more responsibility for their lifestyles.
“We need to become more active as a nation if we are to tackle Britain's ticking obesity time-bomb.
“The Government must also do what it can to help us make the right choices.”
He said the Government had “missed the opportunities they've had to make a real difference in helping people avoid obesity in the first place”.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the obesity epidemic was “one of the most challenging public health issues we face”.
“We know that the NHS spends £4.2 billion on obesity and related diseases every year and that obesity is a leading cause of premature death.
“Our Change4Life campaign is aimed at families - parents and their children. By eating better and moving more, we can all live longer and healthier lives.
“Change4Life is already having a massive impact on the nation's health, but we won't stop until obesity levels in this country really slim down.”
:: Nuffield Health questioned a representative sample of 2,049 adults during May 2009.
Reader views (5)
someone pass the remote
- Norbert -Gooner, london, 10/08/2009 17:43
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I am still getting my head around all of this....I have just woken up after a snooze.
Can someone tell me what "sex" is?
- Rod, Epping, UK, 10/08/2009 16:22
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I'm too tired to comment on this article.
- Bloke, London, 10/08/2009 15:34
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I'd type my opinion but my fingers are too fat and it's too much effort.
- Bob, Cheam, 10/08/2009 14:58
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MP's fall asleep counting their obscene expenses.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK, 10/08/2009 12:58
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