Cyprus and Turkey worst holiday spots for gaining weight

London -  British holidaymakers are worst hit on the waistline during Greek and Turkish holidays, where they tend to gain a lot of weight, a survey has revealed.

The survey found that the kebabs, tsatziki and chips of Cyprus prove too much for many Britons.

Turkey came a close second with holidaymakers putting on 3lb during their stay there while Portugal came third with 2.9lb, the Daily Mail reported.

The survey placed much of the blame on the all you can eat hotel buffet, which Britons cited as the chief reason for filling out.

The United States, which is known for huge portions of fast food and a growing obesity crisis, came in fourth place.

In the survey for travel firm Thomas Cook, one in five people said putting on weight had spoilt their holiday.

Large numbers said that food abroad was cheaper and better than back at home, making them want to eat out too often.

In France, which came seventh in the poll, “high quality food” was said to be the chief reason for coming home heavier.

Half of the holidaymakers admitted consuming more alcohol than they would have at home.

Women had been much less affected by excess, gaining just 1.5lb on average compared with a hefty 5.5lb for men.

Those who stayed at home to holiday in the UK also did not escape without some “extra baggage.”

According to the survey of 350 holidaymakers, they put on half a pound.

A remarkable one in five people claimed to have lost weight while on holiday.

Extra exercise was the explanation in 74 percent of the cases.

Some 55 percent cited hot weather for slimming down, while 38 percent attributed their success to healthy local food and 16 percent to the need to fit into their beachwear.

Others said that atrocious or over-priced meals had helped them reduce their intake of the food.

For the women who had slimmed down the average weight loss was 2.2lb, while for men it was 7.2lb.

The three countries where people reported losing weight were Ireland, Canada and Germany – none of which are known for sunshine or great food.

Exercise– strolling the streets of Dublin or hiking in the Rockies or in the Black Forest – had been cited by respondents as the reason for their weight loss.

The land of chocolate, waffles and chips, Belgium, came in at a surprisingly low number ten on the list.

Those who stayed there mainly blamed the country’s famous beers for the fact that they had bulked up.