Spaniards 'most body-conscious' in Europe, after Ireland, says survey

Marketing consultancy Nielsen carried out a health and wellbeing survey in which they asked Europeans to give their own opinion on their body size.

Whilst 27% of Spaniards believe themselves to be underweight, only 8% of the rest of Europe thought this about themselves.

But whilst 39% of Europeans considered themselves to be an 'ideal weight', only 28% of Spaniards thought this way.

The Greeks are those who most believe their weight is 'normal', with 53% claiming to be within healthy ranges.

And where Europeans on average think they are overweight in just 5% of cases, a total of 25% of Spaniards asked admitted they believed they were carrying too many kilos.

Only between 1% and 3% of the French, Italians and Portuguese considered themselves overweight.

Spanish people are the second-most diet-conscious, with 56% currently taking steps to lose weight, beaten only by 57% in the Republic of Ireland, whilst citizens in Latvia are the least likely to increase exercise levels and go on diets with a view to slimming down – possibly because they already believe their body weight is healthy enough.

In general, two-thirds of Europeans cut down their fat intake to lose weight, whilst 64% reduce sugar and chocolate consumption, 54% eat more fresh produce, a third eats the same foods but in smaller portions, 29% eat fewer processed foods and 11% cuts down on carbohydrates.

Losing weight in Spain mainly involves buying low-fat and low-salt produce, and sugar-free soft drinks – but those trying to shed extra kilos do not want to spend any more money doing so, with 80% saying they are not prepared to bear any extra costs in their weight-loss programme.

In Europe as a whole, three-quarters of people trying to lose weight have changed their diets, whilst 68% undertake physical exercise, 11% take slimming pills and 4% take prescription medication.