Lack of nutritional understanding to blame for the UK's growing obesity problems
Drinks Media Wire published an article last week informing us that new research from the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) shows that only one in four of us actually look for nutrition information on food packaging when we go to the supermarket.
The research, conducted in three UK supermarket chains with different labelling schemes (ASDA, Sainsbury's, Tesco), offers insight into how this information is used in real life shopping situations and is the first part of a broader study in six EU countries.
It appears that we are still lacking knowledge of the nutritional values of certain foods. 90% of consumers know that they should eat more fruit and vegetables, fibre and whole grains and yet only 5% of consumers surveyed knew that they should eat a lot of starchy foods such as bread and potatoes.
We also under-estimate calorie needs whilst over-estimating the amount of physical activity needed to burn them off. A major concern is people's understanding of the calorific needs of children. 35% of consumers think children need more calories than an adult man. Not surprising then that we have seen a dramatic increase in childhood obesity over the last few years.
According to the BMA, the health service spends a staggering £2 billion per year treating ill health caused by poor diet and if current trends continue at least 20% of boys and 33% of girls will be obese by the year 2020.
As food industry professionals, what part should we be playing in solving this problem? What can we do to convince people that a well balanced diet coupled with regular physical activity leads to a healthier lifestyle?
As always, we welcome your suggestions...
The research, conducted in three UK supermarket chains with different labelling schemes (ASDA, Sainsbury's, Tesco), offers insight into how this information is used in real life shopping situations and is the first part of a broader study in six EU countries.
It appears that we are still lacking knowledge of the nutritional values of certain foods. 90% of consumers know that they should eat more fruit and vegetables, fibre and whole grains and yet only 5% of consumers surveyed knew that they should eat a lot of starchy foods such as bread and potatoes.
We also under-estimate calorie needs whilst over-estimating the amount of physical activity needed to burn them off. A major concern is people's understanding of the calorific needs of children. 35% of consumers think children need more calories than an adult man. Not surprising then that we have seen a dramatic increase in childhood obesity over the last few years.
According to the BMA, the health service spends a staggering £2 billion per year treating ill health caused by poor diet and if current trends continue at least 20% of boys and 33% of girls will be obese by the year 2020.
As food industry professionals, what part should we be playing in solving this problem? What can we do to convince people that a well balanced diet coupled with regular physical activity leads to a healthier lifestyle?
As always, we welcome your suggestions...
By Steve Davis on 13 February 2011 07:28
'So say' experts have for years sent out mixed messages as to what we should and should not be eating. And of cause culture plays a big part in all of this, both as a nation and individuals.
So there is not one issue but serval that need to be tackled at once. And as a rule of thumb they are being tackled by the wrong people in the wrong way.