British men are losing sight of their manhood as they pile on the pounds, a survey showed today.

According to the study, one in 10 men are unable to see their genitals because of their protruding bellies.

Of these people, 43% have been unable to do so for two years without looking in a mirror or bending over.

Meanwhile, 16% were unable to remember the last time they saw their genitals.

The survey found 21% of British men rarely pay attention to what they eat - a figure which rose to 29% among 35 to 44-year-olds.

And one in 10 admitted never exercising.

But it seems British males are reluctant to do much about their weight - 36% of those interviewed would only shed the pounds if they grew 'man boobs' and 35% would only consider it if they were unable to have sex for a long period of time.

Meanwhile, 52% said it would take a serious health warning from a doctor to spur them into action.

Another 21% said they would only lose weight if they were unable to do up their shoe laces.

Mandy Cassidy, a psychotherapist for weight-loss company LighterLife, said: "It's apparent that some British men take a relaxed approach to health and to losing weight. Often, it's only when something drastic happens, that they consider losing weight and becoming healthier, which is a real worry.

"Men should be looking at maintaining a healthy lifestyle at all times not waiting for an obvious change to motivate them into action."

Some 2,000 men were interviewed for the OnePoll survey last month.