'Fat cat' risk for British bosses

Are business chiefs becoming literal 'fat cats'?

Britain's bosses are getting bigger as an unhealthy lifestyle takes its toll, a new report suggests.

Catering firm Avenance said it surveyed 500 senior executives and found that almost half said they were overweight.

Many, it said, could be classed as "Fatter Cats" - who combined a lack of sleep with over-intake of fatty foods, caffeine and alcohol.

One in eight of those surveyed said they were set to eat eight Christmas dinners during the festive season.

As well as the Fatter Cat, Avenance said it identified two other key classes of executive.

The FTSE Fluctuator has a gym membership, sometimes even a diet plan and definitely the best of intentions - but pressures of work get in the way.

The City Slimmer, on the other hand, is the type who rises at 5am to go for a brisk run before heading for the boardroom, and relies on vitamins or other supplements for a boost instead of reaching for an espresso.

Overall, the survey found 47% of its respondents admitted to being overweight and 55% said they were lacking in exercise.

One in 10 said they got no exercise at all.

And a quarter of those who replied said they were worried they could harm their businesses if they ran into health problems.