Over half of Brits really feel they’re ‘too chubby’ to take pleasure in intercourse in new research
The study revealed that as many as 32 million people in the UK may feel like they are too fat to have sex, with social media likely playing a factor into the anxiety
Millions of Brits could be impacted in what they get up to between the sheets by social media (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
More than half of all Brits feel that they are “too overweight” to have sex, according to a new study. The results also pointed to potential causes for why the number is so high, revealing a high correlation with social media usage.
With social media continuing to infiltrate our lives, it is now doing more than just influence us. It is now changing how we feel about what we get up to in bed.
Now, the survey has suggested that as many as 32 million people in the UK may feel that they are too fat for any kind fun in bed. Further breakdown of the results reveal that some 13 million Brits might feel this way every time they get intimate.
The study, carried out by Censuswide on behalf of health company Numan, surveyed 2,000 adults in the UK for the study. There, they found that some 60% of Brits said they felt insecure during sex.
Reflecting the results on a national scale, this equates to 32 million people in the UK who may feel as though they are cannot enjoy a romp in the normal way. Young Brits are facing the impact the most, according to the survey, with a huge 80% of people aged 18-34 saying social media is directly shaping their self-worth during sex.
Breaking the stats down even further, both men and women feel the effects of this anxiety on the same level, with women feeling insecurities just a little more than men (62% for women compared to 57% for men). But on top this, these anxieties play into every time that people experience some form of intimacy.
According to the data, 24% of respondents said they experience some form of body insecurity every time they have sex. This could mean as many as 13 million Brits are feeling insecure in the bedroom.
When asked as to why they may feel that way, many pointed towards the way that body image is portrayed on social media, or by celebrities. The findings of the study also linked other intimacy issues to social media, including a lower libido, arousal issues and reduced satisfaction.
Just under a third of adults in the study (32%) also said they believe their weight is actively getting in the way of their sex life. As a result, this undermines confidence and satisfaction as soon as the clothes come off, with women more likely than men to feel some degree of insecurity around their weight.
Speaking about the results of the survey, Numan behavioural expert Zoe Griffiths said: “This research paints a stark picture of how social media and celebrity culture are shaping sexual confidence in the UK. When 60% of adults say that online body ideals make them feel insecure during sex, and nearly a quarter report feeling this every time they’re intimate, it’s clear that these pressures are affecting real-life intimacy, not just self-esteem.
“Social media sets impossible standards, showing highly curated, often unrealistic images of bodies that few can realistically match,” she continued. “This can damage sexual confidence, reduce libido, and even affect relationships. Far from being a vanity issue, this is a growing public health concern that highlights the urgent need to address the impact of digital culture on sexual wellbeing.”
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