A survey of more than 1,700 people by an online sport and exercise equipment retailer has found that the majority of people would prefer to undergo cosmetic surgery rather than eat well and exercise their way to a better body.
As part of ongoing research into the diet and fitness habits of Britons www.Sweatband.com, surveyed 1,743 members of the public to investigate attitudes towards cosmetic surgery. Respondents were asked, ‘Would you prefer to eat healthily and exercise or have cosmetic surgery to improve your physique?’ to which the majority, 59%, said they’d prefer to have cosmetic surgery.
The survey found that women are more likely to consider cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance, making up just over half, 57%, of the respondents who claimed to prefer cosmetic surgery; compared to 43% of men.
When those who’d said they’d opt for cosmetic surgery were asked, ‘Why would you prefer to undergo cosmetic surgery rather than exercise and eat healthily?’ the majority, 62%, admitted that the ‘effort’ it took to exercise and eat well was a prohibitive factor. 41% said they didn’t believe a healthy diet and exercise could ‘work for their body, from experience’, and 35% said they didn’t have the time to achieve their ideal body naturally.
The most desired cosmetic procedure of men and women in the UK, according to the results of the survey, is liposuction; with 78% of women and 68% of men who said that they’d prefer cosmetic surgery choosing the option from a multiple-answer list. According to the results of the study, the top 5 most desired cosmetic procedures amongst women are as follows:
1. Liposuction – 78%
2. Tummy tuck – 65%
3. Breast implants – 43%
4. Breast lift – 39%
5. Bum implants – 17%
In contrast, the most desired cosmetic procedures amongst men are as follows:
1. Liposuction – 68%
2. Breast reduction – 42%
3. Tummy tuck – 31%
4. Pectoral implants – 19%
5. Abdominal implants – 16%
Of the respondents, 26% said that they would consider themselves ‘regular exercisers’. Over a third, 35%, said that they believed they had a healthy diet. Maz Darvish, CEO of Sweatband.com says: “As you’d imagine, we entirely advocate a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise when it comes to improving your physique, but we wanted to see just how many people would consider surgery as a quick-fix means to achieving the body of their dreams.
“It appears that more needs to be done to counter the damage being done by members of the public constantly seeing cosmetic surgery as the easy option. Although it may help with confidence and outward appearance in the short term, only through a healthy lifestyle can you improve your fitness and ensure your body, particularly your heart and lungs, function as healthily as possible. The benefits of exercise in prolonging life and combating disease are very well documented, but this is lost on people who’d instead prefer to pay their way to a better body.”