Thursday 25 September 2003
Four in five (79%) British adults are aware that cholesterol is a type of fat that circulates in the bloodstream, according to research from MORI. The project, commissioned by Flora, also shows that some people wrongly think that it is a form of heart disease, or a description of being overweight (nine per cent and six per cent respectively).
Despite the fact that a significant proportion of the population (21% overall) are unable to identify the correct definition of cholesterol, most (93%) recognise that having a high cholesterol level is a serious health risk. Half (50%) believe the risk to be 'extremely serious'.
One in five British adults (19%) know what their cholesterol level is.
The majority (53%) who know their cholesterol level to be high, found out as a result of a test arranged by their doctor. For a third (32%), this emerged during a routine medical while 12% say they requested a test themselves.
Around a third (35%) of the British population have discussed cholesterol with their doctor or practice nurse on at least one occasion, leaving around two-thirds (64%) who have not.
Topline Results
- 4,076 adults aged 15+
- Interviewed face-to-face at home
- Between 17-22 July and 31 July — 5 August 2003
- Data have been weighted to reflect the national profile
- Base all unless otherwise specified
- (Note: Q4 was asked of half the sample. This question is based on 2,019 adults i.e. those interviewed between 17-22 July only)
Q1 Which one of these descriptions, if any, most closely defines what you think cholesterol is?
| | % |
|---|
| A part of the skin | 0 |
| A medicine | 1 |
| A type of fat that circulates in the bloodstream | 79 |
| A stomach disorder | 1 |
| Heart disease | 9 |
| Being overweight | 6 |
| A lung disease | 0 |
| Other | 1 |
| None of these | 1 |
| Don't know | 3 |
Q2 How serious a health risk, if at all, do you think it is to have a high level of cholesterol?
| | % |
|---|
| Extremely serious | 50 |
| Fairly serious | 43 |
| Not very serious | 3 |
| Not at all serious | 0 |
| Don't know | 3 |
Q3 I am about to read out two statements, can you please tell me whether you think they are true of false?
| | True | False | Don't know |
|---|
| | % | % | % |
|---|
| If you are not overweight, it is unlikely that you will ever have to worry about cholesterol | 13 | 81 | 6 |
| Men are more likely than women to have a high level of cholesterol | 32 | 50 | 18 |
Q4 How often, if at all, has your doctor or practice nurse discussed cholesterol with you?
Base: All interviewed between 17-22 July (2019)
| | % |
|---|
| Never | 64 |
| Once | 13 |
| A couple of times | 12 |
| Quite often | 8 |
| Every time I see them | 2 |
| Don't know | 1 |
Q5 Do you currently have a high level of cholesterol?
| | % |
|---|
| Yes | 6 |
| I think so | 3 |
| No | 46 |
| I don't think so | 17 |
| Don't' know | 27 |
Q6 Do you know what your cholesterol level is?
Q7 How did you find out your cholesterol level?
Base: All who know what their cholesterol level is (854)
| | % |
|---|
| A routine medical | 35 |
| Doctor arranged a test | 44 |
| I requested a test | 14 |
| I haven't had a test, I just imagine that it is too high | 0 |
| Other | 6 |
| Don't know | 1 |
Q8 Which of these, if any, are you currently doing to try and maintain a healthy heart?
| | % |
|---|
| Taking tablets/medication | 12 |
| Exercising often | 48 |
| Eating low fat foods | 43 |
| Giving up/have given up smoking | 13 |
| Eating a healthy diet | 64 |
| Eating a cholesterol lowering spread such as Benecol or Flora pro.active | 15 |
| Nothing | 15 |
| Other | 1 |
| Don't know | 1 |