A new survey has revealed that 90 per cent of adults believe we care too much about how we look and not enough about how healthy we are.

Commissioned by Central YMCA, the Healthy Attitudes to Healthy Bodies survey also showed that almost a quarter of adults feel depressed about their body shape at some point.

It found that 88 per cent of respondents think children are under more pressure about their physical appearance that they were 20 years ago and that 50 per cent of adults believe body image issues should be addressed in primary school.

Central YMCA is using the survey to launch a campaign 'to raise awareness about the extent of society's obsession with body image ideals and its associated negative impact upon the wellbeing of children, young people and adults'.

Rosi Prescott, Central YMCA's CEO, said: "This survey illustrates a deep public unease about the growing focus on body image ideals and we are particularly concerned about the relationship this has with the self esteem and confidence of many in society, particularly children and young people.

"The YMCA's work with children and young people would suggest that there is an appetite for and an urgent need to provide a safe space and supportive environment for children and young people to debate these issues," she added.

The survey of 1002 British adults was conducted by ComRes between 16-18 October.