UK is aware it is neglecting its health – research

Nearly half of all Britons are neglecting their health and fitness, research has found.

According to research from the second annual Scottish Widows Priorities of Life index, for the second year in a row 22 million Brits (45%) are struggling to devote enough time to maintaining their fitness.

Over one third of people (35%) are worried about neglecting their health, and nearly half (45%) confess that they don't put as much emphasis on keeping fit as they feel they should.

One in ten (10%) believe the one thing they would like more time for in their lives is exercise and healthy living.

Of those who don't spend enough time keeping healthy, 39% admit this is because they are not worried enough at the moment, while 24% cite family reasons.

Nearly a quarter (23%) said they would only start to pay attention towards their body if they get seriously ill. Nearly a fifth (21%) said money was too tight to afford a gym membership.

Roger Black MBE, Scottish Widows Ambassador for the London 2012 Games, said: "We have won half the battle because people do recognise the need to devote more time to their health and fitness, but they still don't feel able to prioritise it highly enough.

"As a nation we are passing our bad habits down to our children. 10 million parents are worried their kids aren't taking enough exercise, and 2.1 million parents say their children are not taking part in any type of exercise at all. It is essential families understand the physical, mental and social wellbeing benefits that come with being active."