Half of UK adults are classified as either overweight (31%) or obese (19%) yet a significant proportion believe they are in very good or excellent health, research finds.
Perhaps most worryingly, according to body mass index (BMI) levels, a third (32%) of obese people and half (48%) of those who were overweight believed they were in very good or even excellent health - despite many seeking medical help for other conditions.
The first Health Check UK report from Aviva revealed the effect unhealthy levels of BMI were having on happiness and self-esteem, with mental health issues such as depression more prevalent among overweight individuals.
Almost two in 10 (17%) obese adults sought help for a mental health condition from their GP in the last year, compared with an average of 13%, while just a few of those that were obese (12%) sought help for managing their weight.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults showed the extent to which individuals were unaware of the potential health risks their lifestyle had.
A quarter (26%) of respondents who were obese sought treatment for high blood pressure in the last year, compared to 19% of those who were overweight and 9% who had a healthy BMI.
A further fifth (19%) of obese adults visited their GP for diabetes or thyroid complaints, with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain also more prevalent among the obese.
Aviva UK Health medical director Dr Doug Wright said: "Being overweight brings with it the potential for serious health conditions, yet a significant proportion of those with high BMI levels in the UK are living in denial by claiming they are in very good health and showing no desire to lose weight.
"The risks to their health are well known, with weight-related conditions including type-2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even some types of cancer."
Wright added that any plans to lead a healthier lifestyle by individuals were failing to be taken care of due to "the pressures of modern living".
Overall caffeine consumption was found to be greater than fruit and vegetable intake, with a quarter (25%) of respondents admitting to not even having a single portion each day.
While adults appeared to be making efforts to keep fit, with well over half (58%) saying they exercised at least twice a week, among the obese around a third (29%) never exercised, while 35% said they did not know how much exercise they should be doing.
Wright added: "Although losing weight is the top health ambition for the UK as a whole, any plans to lead a healthier lifestyle are being neglected under the pressures of modern living. The nation is falling woefully short of hitting the recommended five a day target of fruit and vegetable portions and too many people are failing to fit proper exercise into their lives," Wright added.
"Many people are failing to grasp the real importance of taking control of their current and future health, by making changes to their diet and taking more exercise. By reducing the number of people in the UK who are overweight or obese, we can help stem the rise in weight-related illness and improve the overall happiness and wellbeing of our nation."
