England football fans offered NHS online fitness test

Many football fans will be watching the World Cup on TV this summer

England football fans are being encouraged to see how their fitness measures up against supporters from other countries during the World Cup.

An NHS website quiz assesses health based on questions about weight, exercise, nutrition and sexual health.

Users can choose their nationality and compare their fitness scores with average ones from other countries.

Public Health Minister Anne Milton said she hoped people would be inspired to "get active" during the World Cup.

She explained the aim was to make people think about how "simple changes in their life, like eating a better diet or joining their local Sunday league football team could improve their health".

Research by Loughborough University suggests one in 10 fans will drink at least 20 cans and 20 pints of beer throughout the World Cup, while one in seven will eat at least 10 pizzas.

The Football Fan Fitness Challenge, which is available via Facebook, iTunes and the NHS website, has the backing of the Football Association.

Peter Baker, of charity Men's Health Forum, which helped to develop the online multiple-choice quiz, said: "We know that many men will watch the World Cup with a can of lager in one hand and a slice of pizza in the other.

"Because we'd like men to stay in good enough shape to cheer England all the way, we're suggesting they put the remote down for long enough each day to do a brisk walk and eat some healthy grub too."