Working women lag men in “financial fitness”, posing a risk to their health, according to a survey by Map My Plan.

Only 37% of women polled were considered financially fit, compared with 45% of men.

The online advice company is using its research to develop a financial fitness index, to enable consumers to compare their status with others.

The overall financial fitness score for Australian women was 110.4 out of 200, compared with the 117.5 for men.

Map My Plan CEO Paul Feeney says the gap is a serious problem.

“Our research showed low levels of financial fitness were associated with reduced productivity at work, as well as detrimental health effects,” he said. “The survey found 36% of women cite their personal financial situation as a major cause of stress, versus 31% of men, and women spend almost 40% more time thinking about financial issues during working hours than men.”

Mr Feeney says having a comprehensive financial plan puts people in control of their financial futures.

“The research showed those with a financial plan were more likely to… worry less and be more productive at work.

“Unfortunately, the research highlights that only 16% of working Australians have a comprehensive financial plan; 17% of men do versus only 10% of women; 39% of women have no financial plan at all, but it’s much lower for men at 29%.”

Reasons cited include financial advisers’ cost and lack of independence.