Almost 29 million people feel more stressed, less fit and healthy and more prone to illness now than they did three years ago, a recent report has revealed.  

Britain Under Pressure, a report launched today by insurer Friends Provident and UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, showed credit crunch concerns have caused 37% of people to worry more, plus 19% are sleeping less and 15% are working longer hours.

Britons’ diet and exercise have also suffered due to the credit crunch. In order to cut costs, 56% of the UK have started buying cheaper food, with 15% cutting expenditure on fresh fruit and vegetables. Just over a fifth (21%) have cut back on gym use this year.

Mark Jones, head of protection at Friends Provident, said: “Our research found that 87% of people consider their health to be important to them, but this isn’t reflected in how they live, with four out of five people of people not doing enough to look after their body and health. The credit crunch appears to be having serious ramifications. Lifestyle changes – poor diet and lack of exercise in particular – can have a negative effect on their blood pressure and consequently their long-term health.”