Only 1 in 3 Obese Brits Earn Over £20,000
Overweight and obese Britons are struggling to stay above the national average wage according to new research released ahead of National Obesity Week.
Just one in three obese people in Britain (36%) earn more than £20,000, with the majority of obese and severely obese people earning between £10k and £15k each year. This is half the amount of normal and overweight people, the majority of whom earn £20k-£30k annually, and often weigh half as their heavier peers.
With almost a quarter of Britons classified as clinically obese, it’s surprising that most believe their lower earning power is unaffected by their excessive weight, or side effects like back pain, arthritis or diabetes, or even mental illnesses like depression and social stigmatisation.
But many of the obese refuse to acknowledge that their weight has had any impact on their salaries, which possibly adds to the vicious downward spiral. Only one ten obese & severely obese Brits feel their weight has held them back (12%), even though only one in six obese people earn more than £30,000 per annum.
It’s only when it comes to those close to them that those who were obese admitted regret. The research by The Hospital Group shows almost one in four obese Brits admit their children or family had hinted at embarrassment or concern about their weight (22%).
Nearly half (45%) say their weight has prevented them playing with their children, whether that’s the odd kickabout in the park or enjoying rollercoaster rides.
Leading dietitian and Head of Weight Management Services at The Hospital Group, Cirian Marie-Beddoes, said: "If we don’t start to take control of this problem, a whole generation will become too unfit to live their lives fully.
"At The Hospital Group, we regularly see people for weight loss surgery at about 18 stone. Of course, everyone has a tipping point regardless of weight - which has a great deal to do with psychology.
"When the patient has reached the stage where it is more painful for them to move forwards and lose weight than stay as they are, that’s when their life will begin to take that downwards turn."
Tagged in Obesity