UK Attitudes towards Health Management Consumer Report 2026
2026-01-30T16:04:19+00:00
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Report
en_GB
73% of British adults consider themselves at least somewhat physically healthy, but there is a signifcant risk of overconfidence. Only 8% self-identify as obese, despite NHS England finding that 30%…
UK
Health and Wellbeing
Consumer Attitudes
simple
UK Attitudes towards Health Management Consumer Report 2026
"Most UK consumers feel good about their health, but money and overconfidence remain barriers to improvement. Brands can appeal to concerns about the future to boost engagement now."
Rich Shepherd, Associate Principal - Consumer Insights
73% of British adults consider themselves at least somewhat physically healthy, but there is a signifcant risk of overconfidence. Only 8% self-identify as obese, despite NHS England finding that 30% meet the medical definition. This reveals a potentially dangerous gap in self-perception, with many unaware of health risks and likely to miss opportunities for early intervention.
As the recovery from the cost-of-living crisis continues, Brits are able to put more focus on their health. Increased spend on fitness is indicative of this as more consumers prioritise wellbeing. However, cost-of-living constraints still present a significant barrier, particularly for lower-income groups. Affordability remains a key consideration across the health and wellness space to provide healthy options for consumers regardless of financial situation.
Addressing work-related health issues is a major opportunity for brands and employers, given the high productivity cost of sick days in the UK. 48% of UK workers say their work life gets in the way of having a more healthy lifestyle, pointing to a need to help people develop and maintain healthier routines during and around their work day.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for health management
Opportunities
Workday wellness revolution
Affordable wellness wins
Promote fitness today to secure health in the future
THE MARKET
Ongoing cost-of-living concerns are a major barrier to health improvements
Gyms benefit from an increase in health spending
Many fail to recognise weight issues
Graph 1: overweight and obesity prevalence, by age, 2024
Rising long-term sickness is a strain on businesses and the economy
Graph 2: percentage of economically inactive people aged 16-64 who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness, by gender, 2019-25
Health reviews are focusing on access and health inequalities
THE CONSUMER
State of physical and mental health
The majority of Brits are positive about their health
Physical health declines with age, but most over-65s feel healthy
Graph 3: self-reported description of physical health, by age, 2025
Financial pressures harm all aspects of health
Graph 4: proportion of consumers who consider themselves physically and/or mentally healthy, by financial situation, 2025
Three quarters have experienced a health condition in the last year
Focus on improving mental wellbeing upon British women
Graph 5: experience of selected health issues in the last 12 months, by gender, 2025
Promote a holistic, positive approach to wellbeing to prevent a range of issues
Effort put into health management
Brits are getting out what they put into their health
Graph 6: self-reported description of physical health, by effort put into being healthy, 2025
Educate hard-up consumers on budget-friendly steps to good health
Graph 7: effort put into being healthy, by financial situation, 2025
Exercise, diet and socialising lead efforts to improve wellbeing…
…but it’s easy for consumers to overestimate their level of commitment to health
Parents of young children represent a keen market for sleep solutions
Health management products and priorities
Avoiding illness is the primary focus
Product choices reflect the emphasis on strong immune systems
Graph 8: most common products/services used to manage health in the last 12 months, 2025
Medical weight loss solutions continue to grow
Speak to concerns about ageing to maximise investment in health now
Work and health management
Failures in work-life balance are a major strain on workers’ health
Graph 9: response to the statement “My work life gets in the way of me having a more healthy lifestyle”, by age, 2025
Help get workers active with age-targeted sessions
Get workers moving to improve health and cohesion…
…throughout the work day
Reduce the mental strain of work with balance and support
APPENDIX
Report scope
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
Repertoire analysis methodology
UK generation groups
Other data source methodologies
Snoop SpendMapper methodology
Abbreviations
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