People cannot motivate themselves to lose weight despite cancer risk

Almost two-thirds of overweight people in Britain say that they cannot motivate themselves to try and lose weight despite them knowing that they are at a heightened risk of developing cancer.

This is according to new research from Cancer Research UK, which shows that the number of cancer cases directly linked to obesity have risen dramatically in recent years.

Being overweight is the second biggest causer of cancer in the UK after smoking, with around 19,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. Despite this people are still unwilling to show the willpower needed to try and slim down a little.

Dr Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “Unless we tackle the obesity epidemic in the UK we risk cancer cases soaring.

"We understand that it can be extremely hard for people to maintain a healthy weight but keeping those extra pounds at bay could ultimately save your life.” 

Some 68 per cent of overweight women said that a lack of willpower is the main thing stopping them from shedding the pounds, compared to 60 per cent in overweight men.

This, despite 87 per cent of people surveyed saying that losing weight is one of the things they would like to do.

Professor Jane Wardle, from Cancer Research UK’s Health Behaviour Research Centre based at University College London, said: "Our report shows that even though overweight people would like to lose weight and are aware of the cancer risk – they feel lack of willpower is a major barrier to shedding the pounds.

"We know that the modern day environment makes it very hard for people to lose weight especially when they are bombarded by advertising and easily tempted by cheap readymade meals and fast food instead of a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables."