Fatter and fitter...men
MISTER Average UK is a bigger man than he used to be 50 years ago.
Much taller, he weighs far more but can hope to live 13 years longer, according to research.
In 1967 the average British male in his mid-30s was 5ft 7½in tall, tipped the scales at 11st 8lb and had a 38-inch chest and a 34-inch waist. He wore size seven shoes and a 14½-inch collar.
His 2017 equivalent tops 5ft 10in and weighs 13st 3lb.
He has a 43-inch chest, a 37-inch waist and his shirt needs a 16-inch collar. His shoes are size nine.
Rugged
The average male adult in 1967 could hope to live until he was 68. Now a man’s life expectancy is 81.
The contrasting figures, based on Government body shape data, were put together by health and wellbeing company Forza Supplements.
Lee Smith, managing director of Forza Supplements, said: “It is extraordinary how much Mr Average has changed in the past 50 years.
“He has gone from being what we might consider a bit of wimp these days into a taller, more rugged muscle man – but with a noticeable beer belly.
“He is a lot healthier than his 1967 counterpart – living 13 years longer. In 1967, 53 per cent of men smoked while only 20 per cent do so today.
“Now Mister Average is likely to exercise twice a week and he is far more conscious of his body image.
“About 42 per cent of British men lift weights at least once a month.”
He added: “British men are far fitter than they were but they are also far fatter, because they are richer and they are eating and drinking far more than they used to.
“Britain has the highest obesity levels in Western Europe.”
Other things have changed too. England’s 1966 World Cup captain Bobby Moore was the UK’s top-paid footballer of his day on £10,000 a year.
A pint of beer cost 10p and the average house cost £3,620.
Now Manchester United’s Paul Pogba gets £15million a year, a pint of beer costs £3.60 and an average house sets you back £272,000.