And here's the killer: undertakers have requested larger grave sizes set closer to the road as people's body-weight increases.
The study found that one in three 25 to 34-year-olds were officially overweight, with that figure rising to 50 per cent of all 35 to 44-year-olds.
Instead of ensuring they are physically fit, many British adults choose to live on a junk food and sugary drink diet while making no effort to burn off the calories. Yet, despite this, half of the British society say they are unhappy with their appearance, with most of those blaming a busy lifestyle and lack of money for their unhealthy diet.
From my youth as a teenager, I've exercised and eaten well. I'm almost finicky in my avoidance of any food which wouldn't benefit my body. I won't say I'm perfect at 72 years old, but I know I've taken care of my temple. I've just eaten three portions of fruit, said to detox the system when eaten on an empty stomach, and will appreciate my cereal half an hour later. Porridge, served with a trickle of honey, warms and fills me on a foggy spring morning such as this.
If, like me, you've wondered about the quantities needed for one portion, here's a list from National Health Service, UK.
5 A DAY FRUIT & VEGETABLE PORTIONS
Small-sized fresh fruit
One portion is two or more small fruit, for example two plums, two satsumas, two kiwi fruit, three apricots, six lychees, seven strawberries or 14 cherries.
Medium-sized fresh fruit
One portion is one piece of fruit, such as one apple, banana, pear, orange or nectarine.
Large fresh fruit
One portion is half a grapefruit, one slice of papaya, one slice of melon (5cm slice), one large slice of pineapple or two slices of mango (5cm slices).
Dried fruit
A portion of dried fruit is around 30g. This is about one heaped tablespoon of raisins, currants or sultanas, one tablespoon of mixed fruit, two figs, three prunes or one handful of dried banana chips.
Tinned fruit in natural juice
One portion is roughly the same quantity of fruit that you would eat for a fresh portion, such as two pear or peach halves, six apricot halves or eight segments of tinned grapefruit.
Green vegetables
Two broccoli spears or four heaped tablespoons of cooked kale, spinach, spring greens or green beans count as one portion.
Cooked vegetables
Three heaped tablespoons of cooked vegetables, such as carrots, peas or sweetcorn, or eight cauliflower florets count as one portion.
Salad vegetables
Three sticks of celery, a 5cm piece of cucumber, one medium tomato or seven cherry tomatoes count as one portion.
Tinned and frozen vegetables
Roughly the same quantity as you would eat for a fresh portion. For example, three heaped tablespoons of tinned or frozen carrots, peas or sweetcorn count as one portion each. Choose those canned in water, with no added salt or sugar.
Pulses and beans
Three heaped tablespoons of baked beans, haricot beans, kidney beans, cannellini beans, butter beans or chickpeas count as one portion each. Remember, however much you eat, beans and pulses count as a maximum of one portion a day.
Potatoes
Potatoes don't count towards your 5 A DAY. This is the same for yams, cassava and plantain too. They are classified nutritionally as a starchy food, because when eaten as part of a meal they are usually used in place of other sources of starch, such as bread, rice or pasta. Although they don't count towards your 5 A DAY, potatoes do play an important role in your diet as a starchy food.
5 A DAY and ready-made foods
Fruit and vegetables contained in shop-bought ready-made foods can also count toward your 5 A DAY.
Always read the label. Some ready-made foods contain high levels of fat, salt and sugar, so only have them occasionally or in small amounts as part of a healthy balanced diet.