04 July, 2005 15:37 GMT
Sixty-five percent of British men responding to a poll had no idea that being overweight or obese increased their chance of developing cancer. And three-quarters (75 percent) did not know that being physically inactive also increases the risk of the disease.
British men seem to like what they see in the mirror -- with a quarter in denial about their weight problem, campaigners said today. As the UK continues to battle the bulge, men seem to be ignoring the fact that they are carrying excess baggage -- and increasing their risk of illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.
Cancer Research UK called for more men to take heed of the warnings and change their unhealthy lifestyles.
Cancer Risk
A national poll of more than 2,000 men asked whether they considered themselves underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese.
Just one percent considered themselves obese and 39 percent said they were overweight -- but national statistics show that 65 percent of men are actually overweight or obese.
The vast majority -- 54 percent -- considered themselves a normal weight and six percent thought they were underweight.
The research also found that 65 percent of men had no idea that being overweight or obese increased their chance of developing cancer.
And three-quarters (75 percent) did not know that being physically inactive also increases the risk of the disease.
Man Alive Campaign
Only 22 percent of men ate the recommended minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
The poll also found that two-thirds (65 percent) failed to meet the recommended target of 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week.
The research came as Cancer Research UK launched its Man Alive campaign, to raise awareness of cancer among men and highlight ways to reduce the risk.
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