London is the 'most body confident' city in the UK
So basically Londoners are gorgeous, and we know it.
In amongst all the misery, we always love to share a bit of good news - and this is (on face value at least) pretty fabulous.
London has been revealed as the most body-confident city in the UK. And in a city which celebrates its diversity, this is a statistic worth shouting about.
According to a recent study, almost two-thirds of Londoners reported feeling attractive, a tenth more than the national average.
The survey was conducted by the UK Vein Clinic, a team of leading vascular surgeons and specialist practitioners, and Body Image Research Psychologist Dr Helena Lewis-Smith, to investigate how body confidence affects the lives of Brits.
In the study, 62% of respondents based in the City of London said they felt body confident – a tenth more than the national average, and almost double the result in Glasgow (32%).
Nearly a third of Londoners even said they feel more confident in their body now than they did 10 years ago.
Additionally, a third of London residents said they felt attractive, which was the highest result of all UK cities, with only 11% saying this in Southampton and 18% in Leeds.
However, body confidence still impacts the lives of Londoners, as 30% cited their stomach as their biggest insecurity, and 16% stated never or rarely feeling comfortable baring their legs.
Almost a sixth of London residents had also cancelled or declined a date due to low body confidence, with 17% having avoided intimacy for the same reason, and almost a quarter feeling too uncomfortable to undress in front of their partner.
More about body confidence
Dr Helena Lewis-Smith said: “Body image concerns extend beyond appearance, affecting people’s confidence, daily behaviours, and even willingness to seek help. While unfortunately common, recognising that these concerns are valid and shared can be an important step toward addressing them.”
It was also revealed that nearly a tenth of Londoners had avoided or delayed seeking health treatment due to feeling too self-conscious or embarrassed.
However, 69% said they were more likely to seek health treatment if the issue affected how they look.
Professor Stephen Black, Chief Surgical Officer at UK Vein Clinic, said: "As specialists, we see first-hand how feelings of shame stop people from seeking even the most routine care. It’s deeply concerning. No one should have to choose between embarrassment and their health.
“Timely assessment is crucial – not just to address appearance concerns, but to catch and treat emerging health problems before they become more serious. We urge everyone to prioritise their wellbeing and never let body worries stand in the way of medical care."