ALMOST two-thirds of people from the South West do not know how many calories the average person needs to maintain a healthy weight, according to new research.

The YouGov survey commissioned to mark the launch of a new partnership between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation and Tesco that aims to improve the health of the nation, found only one third of respondents from the South West knew the average man needs to consume 2,500 calories a day to maintain a healthy weight.

Only 37 per cent could pinpoint 2,000 calories as the equivalent for women.

The survey revealed many of us underestimate the number of calories in popular meals.

More than a third guessed there were fewer calories in a pint of semi-skimmed milk, curry and a latte and blueberry muffin than there actually is.

A further concern raised by the research is that nearly half of people in the South West do less than the minimum recommended amount of 150 minutes exercise per week. And nearly one in 10 admit to doing no exercise at all.

The British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK and Tesco are highlighting the results, to drive awareness that failure to understand how many calories are consumed could lead to weight gain.

Over the next three years, the three organisations aim to raise £30million, to be spent on a series of initiatives to help people better understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

As one of the first activities of the partnership, Tesco stores around the country are offering free health checks for 40,000 individuals this January.

This includes a blood pressure check, a cholesterol test, a Type 2 diabetes test and a BMI (weight) check and takes about 20 minutes.

Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “It is worrying that most of us don’t understand how many calories we are consuming as a nation but also what a healthy calorie intake looks like.

“This lack of awareness is one of the root causes of the high obesity levels that are, in turn, driving the soaring rate of Type 2 diabetes, as well as cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.

“We need to take urgent action to help the public understand what a healthy diet looks like and this, together with wider changes to society to make healthy choices easier, can make a big difference in turning back the rising tide of obesity.

“This is why we are delighted to be launching this new partnership because, by combining the expertise of the two charities with the reach and scale of Tesco, we are confident we can make a really big difference.”

To get one of the free health checks, go to any Tesco pharmacy during January.

For more details visit tescocharitypartnership.org.uk