TWO in five adults underestimate the recommended levels of exercise they should be doing, a poll suggests.

To stay healthy, adults under the age of 65 should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week. But 41% of adults polled by sustainable transport charity Sustrans did not know the correct amount of exercise they should be undertaking.

The poll of 2000 people from across the UK also found that women were more aware of the health benefits of regular exercise than men, the charity said. Its health director, Philip Insall, said: "It may not be a great surprise that women are more in touch with what's good for them, but this does highlight that more needs to be done to make walking and cycling easier, safer and more attractive."