Roy Keane and Brian O'Driscoll are among the chief role models for Irish men when it comes to personal fitness and body image, according to new research.
It seems that Irish men in general are becoming increasingly conscious of personal image and are going to great lengths to look better. According to Hibernian Life & Pensions, an impressive 47 per cent of those surveyed now exercise more than three times a week.
An overwhelming 77 per cent said that they were exercising to lose some weight and 71 per cent said they were keen on looking better.
While Irish legends Keane and O'Driscoll are fairly unsurprising role models from the world of sport, David Beckham is perhaps a slightly less obvious choice, given his former status as captain of England. Nonetheless, the man who once received the Celebrity Bodies award for the best male body takes his place alongside Keane and O'Driscoll in the impressive line-up of physical icons.
Among 15 to 24-year-old Irish males, 54 per cent are now exercising more than three times a week and it is clear that those in this particular category have the most pronounced awareness of body image.
And, given the time of year, it seems highly likely that many more will be stepping up their fitness campaigns in the weeks and months ahead.
"January is typically the month when people start focusing on health and exercise after the excesses of the Christmas period," said Gareth McQuillan, director of marketing and product development at Hibernian Life & Pensions.
"Our research shows that men are clearly coming under as much pressure as women to look good and as a result are becoming very critical of their own bodies."
The new report raises concerns, however, that men are focusing so heavily on their external body image that they are neglecting issues relating to internal health. Almost half of those surveyed admitted that they had never had a full health screening, while most had never considered the financial repercussions of becoming seriously ill at some time in the future.
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