New independent research published today (Tuesday 8th January 2008) reveals that over two-thirds (68%) of people in Britain are concerned about their own levels of fitness, obesity and depression and make New Year’s resolutions to change.

The research, which was conducted by ICM and commissioned by the Dare to Care: Make time to help end child poverty campaign, is being launched as part of its Health Month. The poll also charts differences according to age, sex and region and is designed to underline how making a resolution to get healthy can also benefit disadvantaged children. For example, if someone wants to get fitter, they could coach a blind football team, or if they want to eat more healthily they could run an after school cookery club in a deprived area.

The Dare to Care research reveals that:

• A third (30%) of the population resolve to get fitter in the New Year
• Nearly a quarter (23%) say they want to be happier
• One in 6 (15%) of people resolve to eat more healthily in the New Year

In addition 6% resolve to spend more time in the garden or outdoors and 5% want to reduce stress at work. Only 9% indicated they would not or didn’t know if they would make New Year’s resolutions.

Regional breakdown
People in Scotland and the North East are most concerned with being fat and unfit. Nearly half (44%) of people in Scotland resolve to get fit in the New Year, and a quarter (25%) of people in the North East know they need to eat better. Meanwhile the saddest people in Britain are in the East Midlands, with 36% wanting to be happier in 2008. Results show that Welsh people are the happiest.

Age results
Ironically, the older we get the less concerned we seem to become with our health and fitness. The group most concerned with getting fit are 18-44 year olds, with 34% saying this was their top priority for the New Year. This compares to only 24% of 55-64 year olds, who are the least likely to resolve to improve their fitness. Meanwhile 25-34 year olds are most concerned about eating healthier, with 20% resolving to eat better. In comparison only 11% of people in the 65+ age range are concerned with what they eat.

Gender differences
Women are more likely than men to make resolutions around healthy eating, with 16% saying they want to eat better in the New Year. This compares to 13% of men. Women suffer more emotionally, with over a quarter (26%) saying they resolved to be happier in the New Year. This compares to 20% of men. However men suffer more stress at work with 6% saying they’ve resolved to change this, compared to 4% of women.

“This research shows that health and fitness is a big priority for people in 2008,” says Claire Ghoussoub, Dare to Care campaign manager. “We want to bring to people’s attention that improving your own health and improving the health of a child in poverty can be a win-win situation. There are lots of ways you can get involved, including helping to run a sports day, teaching children about growing healthy fruit and vegetables or running play sessions. Research also proves that volunteering can make you happy, with half of people (48%) who have volunteered for more than two years saying volunteering makes them less depressed.(1) ”

Dare to Care is run by CSV, the UK’s largest volunteering charity, and the Campaign to End Child Poverty, a coalition of 90 organisations. The campaign aims to recruit 35,000 volunteers to help children from low income families and raise awareness of child poverty in the UK. Throughout January activities to improve children’s health are being run across the country by CSV’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme and Children’s Links. For more information, or to get involved call FREEPHONE 0800 284533 or visit www.daretocare.org.uk

ENDS

For further press information contact: Esther Freeman on 020 7812 0035/07981 591150 (out of office hours) or email efreeman@csv.org.uk or Jason Tanner on 07941 433598

Notes for Editors

1. ‘Giving Time’ beats stress, CSV (Sept, 2004)

2. Case studies and spokespeople available upon request

3. ICM interviewed a random sample of 1032 adults aged 18+ via online between 7th-10th December 2007.  Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.  ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.  Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk

4. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. In 2006/7 229,869 people gave time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trained 12,309 people of all ages and linked 29,000 people to learning through BBC Local Radio

5. The Campaign to End Child Poverty is a coalition of 90 organisations working to eradicate child poverty in the United Kingdom. It is formed from children's and other charities, social justice groups, faith-groups, trade unions and others concerned about the unacceptably high levels of child poverty in the UK; working together for a society free from child poverty.  www.endchildpoverty.org.uk  

6. The Office of the Third Sector is committing £1.25 million towards the operation of Dare to Care in England