Size matters – New study delves between the sheets

Women who are a size eight have more sex than anyone else, according to a recent study. Researchers found that almost 60 per cent of ladies who are a size eight have had sex in the past week. That's compared to a full 50 per cent of size 12 women, but only a third of those who are size 26.

The figures emerged in a study of the bedroom habits of 3,000 Brits, which also revealed that more than one in ten people classed as obese haven't had sex for a year because they are so worried about being seen naked.

The report, commissioned by weight loss specialist LighterLife, also found 12 per cent of those with a high BMI (Body Mass Index) admitted going a year or more without sex, while six per cent say it has been at least six months.

Mandy Cassidy psychotherapist and consultant for LighterLife, said: “As Britons slim for 2009, we delved between the sheets, to find the more spicy benefits of losing weight… and what’s in store for millions.”

The study analysed women’s confidence in sexual performance on a scale of 1-10 and found that:

• Even though they are more active sexually, size eight women ranked their confidence at 5.7 out of ten, around the same as those who were a dress size bigger
• Size 20 women rated their confidence as just 5, and size 24 women just 4
• Fourteen per cent of size 24 women said their confidence levels in their bedroom were just one out ten, while only five per cent of size eight women said the same

Eight per cent of obese people claimed they couldn't remember the last time they had sex, and more than one in five said the lack of bedroom activity was because they couldn't bear the thought of someone seeing them naked, compared with just three per cent of those who have a normal BMI.

In comparison, just seven per cent of Brits with a normal BMI said they had had to go without for a year or more, along with seven per cent of overweight folk.

The poll also revealed that even sexually active obese people do all they can to avoid their partner seeing their body, with a quarter admitting to getting undressed and under the covers first.

Almost 20 per cent even make sure the covers always hide their curves, while another 15 per cent only let their partners touch certain parts of their body.

But researchers discovered that it's not just women who have a problem baring all, as four per cent of obese guys insist on having sex with the light off.

In total, 70 per cent of women and 48 per cent of men admitted they do all they can to avoid bearing their body, or even avoid sex altogether. The ingenious ways they do it include:

Women:
• Pretending to have a headache
• Having sex with the light off
• Getting undressed before their partner comes to bed
• Keeping a t-shirt or nightie on
• Keeping the bedcovers firmly on so it covers their body

Men:
• Pretending to have had too much to drink
• Stayed up until their partner has gone to bed
• Had sex with the light off
• Made love wearing only their socks
• Went to the pub

It was also revealed that a staggering 30 per cent of obese people reckon they have never felt sexy, along with 38 per cent of seriously obese Brits.

But just 12 per cent of those with a normal BMI said the same.

Sex and relationships expert Tracey Cox says: "Sex is about what's happening on the inside, not how we look on the outside, but society definitely dictates that slim is attractive. So slimmer people do tend to feel more sexually confident.

“It also stands to reason that the more you like your body, the happier you are to show it off to your partner. Slimmer people also tend to be healthier and fitter which makes them more active and enthusiastic in bed."

Mandy added: “The study shows that being obese affects the mind as well as the body, and reveals the problems faced by so many people.

“For many, it’s a vicious circle – many use food as a substitute for love, and as the pounds pile on, their relationship switches from their partners, to food.

“To help them, we have published an online guide by our lead psychotherapist, at lighterlife.com.

“They need to learn how to recognise how to break the cycle – and clearly, for those who do, the sauce will not be in the kitchen, but in the bedroom…”