British Poll Shows People Denying Weight Problems

A poll conducted by the charity CancerResearch UK revealed that most obesepeople are unconcerned about theirweight and not interested in losingweight even if it would improve theiroverall health. Four thousand peoplewere polled, and more than half wereeither overweight or obese. Of those,25% were not worried about theirweight and the problems associatedwith increased weight. Of the overweightand obese segment questioned,nearly 80% did not appreciatethe importance of maintaining ahealthy weight. In fact, many did notknow their current weight, nor did theyrealize the cancer risks that anunhealthy weight can cause. The charity'sdirector of information, LesleyWalker, PhD, remarked, "These resultsshow far too many of those at greatestrisk are choosing to ignore theirweight. It's worrying to think that peopleare in denial about their weight."

Ms. Farley is a freelance medicalwriter based in Wakefield, RI.