Manchester United and City fans have been officially named and shamed in a of survey match-day eating habits.
The survey – conducted by Diet Chef – unearthed a number of worrying statistics about the dietary habits of fans throughout the football season.
United and City fans fared poorly in the survey which found that 52% of Reds’ supporters increase their take-away intake to three meals a week during the season and 34% of City fans found that their waist-band had increased by May.
Diet Chef’s Nutrition and Weight Management Specialist, Izzy Cameron, said: “The survey has shown just how easy it is to put on weight with many men not realising that this regular indulgence in snacks and alcohol can cause lasting damage.
“During the footie season it’s easy to opt for the quickest and usually the unhealthiest options; but drinking large quantities of beer and eating takeaways can do a lot of damage to your health.”
United supporters partiality to fast food could be attributed to the short space of time between the end of regular working hours and the kick-off times of mid-week games, with fans having to pack in their calories as quickly as possible.
However, this theory is rendered irrelevant when it comes to the weekend fixtures.
While their rivals have the heaviest fast-food habit, City fans are in the one’s inexplicably feeling the effects that should be afflicting their cross-town rivals.
Across the league 52% of male football fans admitted to dropping healthy eating habits during the season, and a further 40% said they abandoned their exercise regimes.
It is not just the fans themselves who feel the effects – families of fans are also suffering, with 38% of football fans saying they miss out on family days out to attend their team’s matches.
While Manchester fans find themselves bottom of the league for eating habits it is London supporters who drank, smoked, gambled, and neglected their love life more than any other fans.
North Londoners show their commitment to their teams cause by practicing abstinence in the bedroom.
The survey found that Arsenal fans are the most likely to neglect their spouse or partner while Spurs fans are most likely to let their sex life suffer.
Chelsea fans were revealed to be the heaviest match-day drinkers while West Ham fans dealt with the season’s pressures by smoking and gambling.
Image courtesy of Srslyguys, with thanks
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