Diet is More Popular Than Exercise When it Comes to Slimming
The researchers believe part of the reason for this trend is that it is getting much easier for consumers to buy low-calorie products.
20/12/06 When it comes to slimming, more people in the UK keep an eye on their daily calorie consumption and forget about exercise completely, compared to the number of people who try to become more physically active, say researchers from GlaxoSmithkline.
Apparently, about 50% of women and 30% of men focus entirely on their calorie intake. This is in spite of the fact that over half of them know physical activity is more important.
The researchers believe part of the reason for this trend is that it is getting much easier for consumers to buy low-calorie products. In fact, GSK Nutritional Healthcare researchers say this trend towards being couch-potato low-calorie eaters is quite worrying.
In a BBC online report, John Brewer, a sports scientist, GSK, said "The trend of people swapping the gym for a low calorie meal is very worrying. Consuming fewer calories is no substitute for exercise. We cannot afford to become a nation of calorie-counting couch potatoes - the benefits of leading active lives are enormous."
In the same report, another GSK nutritionist said manufacturers of low-calorie diet foods have a responsibility to consumers. As the range of low-calorie food and drink products available to consumers grows, manufacturers need to make a concerted effort to encourage people to focus on high calorie expenditure - burning more calories.
