British MPs are an unhealthy bunch. A first of its kind analysis on the health conditions of legislators themselves has found that majority of the MPs live tremendously unhealthy lives with a fifth of female MPs exceeding the department of health’s threshold of safe weekly alcohol intake.
The Nuffield Health study was carried out by Dods Parliamentary Service. A total of 100 MPs were questioned. Of these, 40 were Conservative MPs, 47 Labour MPs, nine Liberal Democrat MPs and four from other parties. A total of 79 male MPs took part and 21 female members.
It revealed that almost half (46%) of parliamentarians failed to meet the government’s recommendation of two and a half hours of moderate activity each week.
Almost nine in ten MPs (86%) of those questioned admit that they exceed NHS daily calorie guidelines at least once a week - with 71% overeating up to four days a week. And a half (49%) has embarked on diets in the past 12 months.
A quarter (25%) get less than six hours sleep each night, compared with the recommended level of between seven and nine hours a night. And almost a third (29%) said their levels of stress adversely affect their health at least twice a week. A fifth (21%) of female MPs exceeded the department of health’s safe weekly alcohol intake guideline of 21 units. And the same (19%) of male MPs consume more than the 28-unit suggested safe limit. Asked whether they thought their lifestyle was healthy or unhealthy, four in ten MPs (41%) said unhealthy.Dr Davina Deniszczyc, Nuffield Health’s medical director said ‘The health of the nation’s MPs reflects the health dangers all of us in the UK are facing.’
The Nuffield Health study was carried out by Dods Parliamentary Service. A total of 100 MPs were questioned. Of these, 40 were Conservative MPs, 47 Labour MPs, nine Liberal Democrat MPs and four from other parties. A total of 79 male MPs took part and 21 female members.
It revealed that almost half (46%) of parliamentarians failed to meet the government’s recommendation of two and a half hours of moderate activity each week.
Almost nine in ten MPs (86%) of those questioned admit that they exceed NHS daily calorie guidelines at least once a week - with 71% overeating up to four days a week. And a half (49%) has embarked on diets in the past 12 months.
A quarter (25%) get less than six hours sleep each night, compared with the recommended level of between seven and nine hours a night. And almost a third (29%) said their levels of stress adversely affect their health at least twice a week. A fifth (21%) of female MPs exceeded the department of health’s safe weekly alcohol intake guideline of 21 units. And the same (19%) of male MPs consume more than the 28-unit suggested safe limit. Asked whether they thought their lifestyle was healthy or unhealthy, four in ten MPs (41%) said unhealthy.Dr Davina Deniszczyc, Nuffield Health’s medical director said ‘The health of the nation’s MPs reflects the health dangers all of us in the UK are facing.’