PRESS RELEASE: Welch's
Written: Monday 14th December, 2009
PUFFED OUT
The average Brit is so unhealthy they are left gasping for breath after running for a bus, a study revealed yesterday (Sun).
The worrying statistic emerged in a report which also found 22 per cent - or a massive 10 MILLION - are 'puffed' after a quick trip up the stairs.
One in five went as far as to admit they were 'left sweating' after running the hoover around the house for just 16 minutes and four in ten 'need a sit down' after mowing the lawn.
Yesterday a spokesman for Welch's Purple Grape Juice, which carried out the study among 2,000 Brits, said: ''The results of the survey show that there's a real need for people to be more conscious of their health and fitness.
''It's worrying to hear that most people would require doctor's orders to get into shape when actually just a few small changes to your lifestyle can make all the difference.
''Taking the stairs or getting off the bus one stop early will go someway to improving general fitness.
''Many Brits are very unaware of their own health and fitness meaning they are largely in the dark about the main indicators of health such as cholesterol levels and heart health.''
The survey quizzed 18-65 year-olds on their levels of fitness including; how far they can run, how many are left feeling puffed out doing what and how much exercise they do.
The study found seven in ten have been left gasping for air after trying to catch a bus to work with the typical Brit walking up just 22 steps before needing to stop to gulp in air.
And it also emerged most people can only manage to run 108 metres before coming to an abrupt halt.
Three out of ten said they felt achy and breathless after lifting shopping in and out of the car or to the house.
And 13 per cent work up a sweat cleaning the bathroom and toilet or simply rushing to get ready for work in the morning.
The research also found Brits typically walk an average of two miles a day. Two thirds admit they felt shattered and a quarter said they needed a nap when they returned home or were back at their desk.
More than half (55 per cent) said they would always choose the lazy option of jumping in a lift or onto an escalator rather than face trudging up a set of steps.
And a feeble six in ten would get the car out of the garage to drive one mile which would take just 10 minutes to walk.
Only one in ten said they had got off the bus one stop early to stretch their legs and only 13 per cent said they would consider cycling to work.
The nation's lack of fitness is such that one in five people said they tried to avoid any form of exercise.
Only a doctor's warning (38 per cent) or the inability to fit into clothing (23 per cent) would force Brits to overhaul their lifestyle or eating habits.
And shockingly one in six would only be sparked into action if they had a heart attack.
The study also found the average Brit does a measly two forms of exercise a week, with each session lasting 36 minutes, totalling one hour and 12 minutes.
But a dismal 11 per cent haven't worked up a sweat for a year or more.
Taking a stroll, walking the dog or going for a swim topped the list of weekly activities, but just one in ten have signed up to fitness class while only 12 per cent jog regularly.
One in five of those surveyed don't know their weight - claiming not to set foot on a pair of scales in fear of the reading - but reckon they're overweight by one and a half stone.
The research also found only 17 per cent know their cholesterol level.
WHAT LEAVES THE AVERAGE BRIT BREATHLESS
Running 108 metres
Walking up 22 steps
Lifting shopping bags 6 times in and out of the car/house
Hoovering - 16 minutes
Sweeping - 22 minutes
Scrubbing and mopping the kitchen floor - 23 minutes
Cleaning the oven - 24 minutes
Cleaning the toilets and bathroom - 26 minutes
Dusting and polishing the house - 32 minutes
Brisk walking - 36 minutes
Traipsing around the shops - 45 minutes
Mowing the lawn - 31 minutes
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
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