Deputy Prime Minister is also under fire for her record of voting against abortion
Therese Coffey has admitted she is "not the role model" when it comes to her personal health after being questioned about her weight and smoking.
In an interview with LBC’s Nick Ferrari, the new Health Secretary was asked about her own smoking and drinking habits as well as whether she could "could possibly do with losing a pound or two".
Ms Coffey responded: "My focus is on how we deliver for patients and I appreciate I may not be the role model, but I am sure that the Chief Medical Officer and others will continue to be role models in that regard and I will do my best as well."
She added: "I will probably get all sorts of comments, Nick, but nevertheless, on a more serious matter, I have been a patient of the NHS too and have had some brilliant experiences and I have had some experiences where it could have been better. My focus is on patients and that is what I will be making sure the department focuses on too."
The admission comes as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service called her record on abortion rights "deeply concerning".
Ms Coffey, a Catholic, has previously voted against making at-home abortion pills permanently available in England and Wales, after the measure was introduced to improve access during the pandemic.
When asked about her views, Ms Coffey has said she is not seeking to undo any aspects of abortion laws.
"I’m conscious I have voted against abortion laws," she told Sky News.
"What I will say is I’m the complete democrat and that is done, so it’s not that I’m seeking to undo any aspects of abortion laws."
She has previously spoken out against abortion based on her religious views, admitting that she would "prefer that people didn’t have abortions but I am not going to condemn people that do".
Ms Coffey also voted against same-sex marriage in 2013 and extending abortion rights in Northern Ireland.
As a backbencher in 2010, Ms Coffey introduced a motion in Parliament that called for "mental health assessments" for women seeking an abortion.
Clare Murphy, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, told the BBC the UK should be "a beacon for women’s reproductive choice", especially after the repeal of Roe v Wade in the US.
"We need a health secretary who wants to improve access to a medical procedure that one in three women will need in their lifetime, not impose further restrictions."
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