SalfordOnline

Over two-thirds of Britons are concerned about their weight and how fit they are, a new survey has revealed.

This number are also worried about depression and have made new year's resolutions to change their lifestyles, according to the report commissioned by the charity CSV.

A third of people questioned said they aimed to get fitter this year, nearly a quarter want to be happier and one in six people will try to eat more healthily.

People in Scotland and those aged 18 to 44 were the most concerned with becoming fitter, while the saddest people in Britain appear to be in the Midlands, where 36 per cent want to be happier in 2008.

Claire Ghoussoub, CSV's Dare to Care campaign manager, said the research shows that "health and fitness is a big priority for people in 2008".

She urged people to consider volunteer work to improve both health and happiness.

"Improving your own health and improving the health of a child in poverty can be a win-win situation," Ms Ghoussoub said.

"There are lots of ways you can get involved, including helping to run a sports day, teaching children about growing healthy fruit and vegetables or running play sessions.

"Research also proves that volunteering can make you happy, with half of people (48 per cent) who have volunteered for more than two years saying volunteering makes them less depressed."