What weight problem? Vast majority of the obese deny being unhealthy

Only six per cent of overweight people believe they should be described as obese, a survey found.

Three quarters of those with an obese body mass index underestimated their weight category, according to the poll of 2,065 people.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, the head of nutrition and research at Slimming World, which conducted the survey, said: “This worrying new data reveals the complex psychological issues associated with being overweight.

“Many people, including many health professionals, believe that managing weight is just about energy balance, and that people simply need to 'eat less and exercise more’.

“However, that approach can never work while so many people deny how severely their weight could be affecting their health, or while they struggle with the emotional burden of being overweight, which can affect their confidence in their ability to make healthy lifestyle changes.”